COTTBUS, Germany -- Alex Zanardi will return to the track where he lost his legs and will symbolically start the German 500 a year after the crash in which he nearly died.

Zanardi, 35, confirmed that he will take part in the Sept. 21 CART race, Hans-Joerg Fischer, manager of the EuroSpeedway circuit, said Tuesday.

Zanardi lost both legs Sept. 15, 2001, during the inaugural CART race in Germany. The Italian driver has learned to walk on artificial limbs and has driven a private car.

The Lausitzring circuit is contracted to host a CART event every year until 2005.