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Billy Monger

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Billy Monger
Monger in 2018
NationalityUnited Kingdom British
Born (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 25)[1]
Charlwood, Surrey, England[2]
Euroformula Open Championship career
Debut season2019
Current teamCarlin
Car number31
Starts20 (20 entries)
Wins1
Podiums2
Poles1
Fastest laps0
Best finish9th in 2019
Previous series
2018
2016-2017
2017 		BRDC Formula 3
F4 British Championship
Ginetta Junior Championship

Billy Edmund Albert Monger (born 5 May 1999)[1] is a British racing driver who raced in British F4 in 2016 and 2017. He now works as a commentator/pundit and TV personality. He has been referred to by the nickname Billy Whizz,[3][4][5] after the character in British comic The Beano.

In April 2017, Monger was critically injured in a collision at Donington Park that caused both of his legs to be amputated, one below and the other above the knee.[3][6][5] Up to that point, he had been heavily involved in kart racing all over the UK and the Channel Islands, as well as a successful Ginetta Junior racer before moving into single seater categories.

After treatment and therapy, Monger returned to competition in November 2017. In 2018, Monger was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.[7] From 2019, he provided analysis for Channel 4 F1.[8] He also competed in the Formula 3 based Euroformula Open championship for Carlin Motorsport, achieving his first single seater race win at the 2019 Pau Grand Prix.

Career

[edit]

Monger first got behind the wheel of a vehicle at the age of six, when his father, a former kart racer, bought him his first go-kart.[9]

Monger racing at Silverstone with JHR Developments, as part of the 2016 British Formula 4 Championship.

In 2016, Monger joined the F4 British Championship with JHR Developments.[10] There he took three podiums and finished 12th in the championship. He remained with the team for the 2017 season.[11]

On 16 April 2017, less than three weeks before his 18th birthday, Monger was badly injured and almost died after being involved in a crash at the Donington race, where he crashed at high speed into the back of Finnish driver Patrik Pasma; as a result, both of his legs were amputated afterwards.[12][13] His left leg was amputated high above the knee, leaving him with a short stump of his thigh. His right leg is longer, being amputated below the knee, and the extra length and use of the joint enables him to drive modified cars. Monger was conscious after the car crash. Pasma was not seriously injured in the crash.[14]

After his Donington Park crash, stickers in support of Monger – such as this one on Geri Nicosia's Ginetta GT5 Challenge car at Knockhill in Scotland – were placed on cars on the entire British Touring Car Championship package.

A JustGiving page was set up by his team JHR Developments to raise money for Monger, raising over £500,000 in the first 24 hours. A number of F1 drivers have shown support of Monger, including Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, Jolyon Palmer and Nico Hülkenberg.[15][16]

In June 2017, it was announced that Monger would return to competition in November, sharing a Group CN Ligier JS53 Evo 2-Honda with quadruple amputee Frédéric Sausset in a round of the V de V Challenge Endurance Proto at the Autódromo do Estoril in Portugal, as part of a programme with the eventual aim of fielding a team of three disabled drivers at the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours.[17] In July 2017, Monger made his return to the track when he tested a Fun Cup race car adapted with additional hand controls by disabled motorsport specialists Team BRIT at Brands Hatch, where he regained his race licence.[18]

Monger's Carlin Tatuus-Cosworth MSV 016 which he raced in the 2018 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, upon his return to motorsports.

In February 2018, Monger drove a single seater racing car for the first time since his crash when he tested a BRDC British Formula 3 car for the Carlin racing at Oulton Park.[19] The following month Monger confirmed that he would be racing for Carlin in the opening meeting of the 2018 BRDC Formula 3 series at the same venue.[20] In order to compete in F3, he and his family had to appeal to the sport's international governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, to change their regulations, as they had restricted disabled drivers from racing single seaters on the grounds of safety: the FIA decided to lift the ban in December 2017, allowing disabled drivers to race appropriately-modified single seaters as long as they could pass safety checks.[9] He finished third at Oulton Park in a car adapted for him:[21] the modifications included moving the brake pedal upwards so he could brake using one of his leg stumps, and replacing the throttle pedal with a lever mounted on the steering wheel.[9]

In June 2018, Monger drove a Formula 1 racing car for the first time when he tested a Sauber C30 at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby. The car had been specially converted to match the hand controls present in the Carlin BRDC British Formula 3 car he races. In March 2021, Monger completed "Billy's Big Challenge", covering a distance of 140 miles (230 km) by walking, kayaking and cycling, and raised over £3 million for Comic Relief.[22]

Broadcasting Career

[edit]

From 2019, he provided analysis for Channel 4 F1.[8] He also was the co-commentator for W Series.[23] In addition, he has worked on Channel 4's Paralympic Games coverage and the Parasport presenting team, as commentator and reporter.[24]

A documentary feature about Monger's first Formula 1 drive was shown as part of Sky F1's coverage of the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix. Another documentary about Monger's career, Driven: The Billy Monger Story, was produced by the BBC and released on BBC Three in November 2018.[9] On 5 July 2021, it was announced that Monger would present Billy Monger: Changing Gear as part of coverage of the Paralympics.[25]

He is signed up to be part of Channel 4's 2024 Summer Paralympics presenting team.[26]

It was announced in September 2023 that Monger, along with his sister, Bonny, would be contestants on Celebrity Race Across the World.[27] A family emergency caused them to leave the Race before its finish. In October 2024, Monger participated in 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Kona to raise money for Comic Relief,[28] setting a new world record time for a double amputee of 14 hours, 23 minutes and 56 seconds; beating the previous record by more than two hours.[29] He also became the youngest double amputee to complete an Ironman event.[30]

Personal life

[edit]
Monger driving a golf buggy with "#BillyWhizz" sticker in July 2018, over one year post-crash

Monger is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.[31]

In October 2024, Monger was banned from driving for 49 days after an incident where the car he was driving hit 3 cars and ended up in a garden in Limpsfield in January of that year.[32]

Karting record

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Karting career summary

[edit]
Season Series Team Position
2008 British Open Championship - Honda Cadet 19th
2009 Super 1 National Championship — Honda Cadet 5th
2010 Super 1 National Championship — Honda Cadet 1st
WSK Nations Cup — 60 Mini 19th
2011 Trent Valley Kart Club — Comer Cadet 36th
Kartmasters British Grand Prix — Comer Cadet 6th
WSK Master Series — 60 Mini Prima Racing NC
WSK Final Cup — 60 Mini 4th
2012 Super 1 National Championship — KF3 8th
WSK Master Series — KF3 Forza Racing 36th
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF3 31st
2013 WSK Master Series — KFJ Forza Racing 65th
WSK Euro Series — KFJ 45th

Racing record

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Racing career summary

[edit]
Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2014 Ginetta Junior Championship Privateer 14 0 0 0 0 146 15th
Tolbar Racing 2 0 0 0 0
Total Control Racing 4 0 0 0 0
2015 Ginetta Junior Championship JHR Developments 20 2 1 1 7 325 5th
2016 F4 British Championship JHR Developments 27 0 1 0 1 78 12th
2017 F4 British Championship JHR Developments 6 0 0 0 2 44 13th
Ford F4 Challenge Cup 6 4 0 1 4 100 6th
2018 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship Carlin 23 0 2 3 4 301 6th
2019 Euroformula Open Championship Carlin Motorsport 18 1 1 0 2 89 9th
Euroformula Open Winter Series 2 0 0 0 0 5 10th

Complete F4 British Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 DC Points
2016 JHR Developments BHI
1
11 		BHI
2
8 		BHI
3
18 		DON
1
9 		DON
2
6 		DON
3
11 		THR
1
Ret 		THR
2
3 		THR
3
2 		OUL
1
9 		OUL
2
6 		OUL
3
13 		CRO
1 		CRO
2 		CRO
3 		SNE
1
Ret 		SNE
2
11 		SNE
3
12 		KNO
1
Ret 		KNO
2
9 		KNO
3
13 		ROC
1
15 		ROC
2
13 		ROC
3
3 		SIL
1
Ret 		SIL
2
11 		SIL
3
8 		BHGP
1
Ret 		BHGP
2
12 		BHGP
3
Ret 		12th 78
2017 JHR Developments BRI
1
6 		BRI
2
3 		BRI
3
7 		DON
1
3 		DON
2
Ret 		DON
3
Ret 		THR
1 		THR
2 		THR
3 		OUL
1 		OUL
2 		OUL
3 		CRO
1 		CRO
2 		CRO
3 		SNE
1 		SNE
2 		SNE
3 		KNO
1 		KNO
2 		KNO
3 		KNO
4 		ROC
1 		ROC
2 		ROC
3 		SIL
1 		SIL
2 		SIL
3 		BHGP
1 		BHGP
2 		BHGP
3 		13th 44

Complete BRDC British Formula 3 Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 DC Points
2018 Carlin OUL
1
3 		OUL
2
95 		OUL
3
8 		ROC
1
14 		ROC
2
75 		ROC
3
Ret 		SNE
1
7 		SNE
2
92 		SNE
3
6 		SIL1
1
8 		SIL1
2
73 		SIL1
3
17 		SPA
1
6 		SPA
2
13 		SPA
3
3 		BHI
1
4 		BHI
2
13 		BHI
3
5 		DON
1
4 		DON
2
141 		DON
3
3 		SIL2
1
3 		SIL2
2
14 		SIL2
3
C 		6th 301

Complete Euroformula Open Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Pos Points
2019 Carlin Motorsport LEC
1
10 		LEC
2
12 		PAU
1
9 		PAU
2
1 		HOC
1
12 		HOC
2
13 		SPA
1
10 		SPA
2
11 		HUN
1
12 		HUN
2
12 		RBR
1
11 		RBR
2
6 		SIL
1
4 		SIL
2
4 		CAT
1
5 		CAT
2
3 		MNZ
1
11 		MNZ
2
14 		9th 89

See also

[edit]
  • Alex Zanardi, another open-cockpit open-wheel racing driver who lost both legs in a racing crash

References

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  1. ^ a b Chris Kitching (25 April 2017). "Teen racing driver Billy Monger breaks silence after horrific accident that saw him lose his lower legs". The Mirror (London).
  2. ^ Dave Whitfield; Sophie Evans; Stephen Jones (20 April 2017). "Racing driver Billy Monger to be 'woken from coma in days' as Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button help raise £350,000". The Mirror (London).
  3. ^ a b Sophie Evans (20 April 2017). "Teenage British F4 racing driver Billy Monger loses both lower legs after horror Motorsport crash at Donington Park". The Mirror (London).
  4. ^ Alan Baldwin (2017). "Motor racing-Hamilton hopes Zanardi can inspire injured British teen". Newswire. Wards Auto.
  5. ^ a b "F1 Russian GP: F1 teams show support for Billy Monger in Sochi". Crash.net. 28 April 2017.
  6. ^ Alan Baldwin (2017). "Motor racing-Hamilton hopes Zanardi can inspire injured British teen". Newswire. Wards Auto.
  7. ^ "Sports Personality of the Year: Billy Monger to receive Helen Rollason Award". BBC. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Billy Monger joins Channel 4's Formula 1 presenting team". Channel 4. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d Varley, Ciaran. "I lost my legs but not my daredevil spirit". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  10. ^ Paice, Simon (25 February 2016). "Monger stays with JHR for MSA Formula move". thecheckeredflag.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  11. ^ "Billy Monger recommits to JHR Developments for 2017 British F4 title tilt". Racing News. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  12. ^ Formula 4: British driver Billy Monger suffers leg injuries in crash - BBC Sport (16 April 2017)
  13. ^ Formula 4: British driver Billy Monger has legs amputated - BBC News (19 April 2017)
  14. ^ "F4 racer Monger Suffers leg injuries in horror Donington Crash". Motorsport. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Help raise £260000 to Help Billy Monger beat life changing injuries, after being involved in one of the most horrific crashes Motorsport has seen". JustGiving.
  16. ^ Formula 4: Jenson Button pledges £15,000 to support British driver Billy Monger - BBC Sport (20 April 2017)
  17. ^ Watkins, Gary (17 June 2017). "Billy Monger to make racing return as Sausset targets Le Mans". autosport.com. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Billy Monger crash: Amputee teen racer back behind wheel". bbc.co.uk. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  19. ^ Saunders, Nate (7 February 2018). "Double amputee Billy Monger completes first single-seater car test". ESPN (UK TV channel). Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  20. ^ Mackley, Stefan (27 March 2018). "Billy Monger's racing return confirmed for BRDC British F3 opener". autosport.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  21. ^ "Billy Monger: Double amputee hails 'surreal' podium finish on British F3 debut". BBC Sport. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  22. ^ "Billy's Big Challenge". Comic Relief. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  23. ^ "W Series to be shown on Channel 4". W Series. 26 May 2021. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Channel 4 announces 100% disabled presenting team for Winter Paralympics". Channel 4. 8 February 2023.
  25. ^ "Channel 4 sets out its most ambitious ever Paralympic plans with multi location studios and world class talent line-up - Press". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Channel 4 unveils ground-breaking presenting line-up and biggest-ever broadcast plans for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games". Channel 4. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Who are Billy Monger and his sister Bonny? Celebrity Race Across The World 2023 cast". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Billy Monger: The Race is on | Comic Relief".
  29. ^ "Monger breaks Ironman record for double amputee". BBC News. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  30. ^ Ballard, Stuart (27 October 2024). "Double amputee Billy Monger smashes Ironman record by more than TWO HOURS seven years after horror crash". GB News Limited. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  31. ^ "FA Cup & Premier League predictions: Lawro v racing driver Billy Monger, star of Comic Relief's Big Red Nose Challenge". BBC Sport. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  32. ^ Kershaw, Tom; Scarsi, Alice; Thorne, Lucy (8 October 2024). "BBC Race Across The World star banned from roads after horror crash". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
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