Billy Monger

Billy Monger
Monger in 2018
Nationality	British
Born	(1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 24) [1] Charlwood, Surrey, England [2]
Euroformula Open Championship career
Debut season	2019
Current team	Carlin
Car number	31
Starts	20 (20 entries)
Wins	1
Podiums	2
Poles	1
Fastest laps	0
Best finish	9th 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, he was critically injured after being 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

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

From 2019, he provided analysis for Channel 4 F1. ^[23] He also was the co-commentator for W Series. ^[24] In addition, he has worked on Channel 4's Paralympic Games coverage and the Parasport presenting team, as commentator and reporter. ^[25]

Personal life

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. ^[26]

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 Monger would present Billy Monger: Changing Gear as part of coverage of the Paralympics. ^[27]

It was announced in September 2023 that Monger, along with his sister, Bonny, would be contestants on Celebrity Race Across the World. ^[28]

Karting record

Karting career summary

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

Racing career summary

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

(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

(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

(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

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

References

1. 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. 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. "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. "Billy Monger joins Channel 4's Formula 1 presenting team". Channel 4. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
9. 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. "Billy Monger joins Channel 4's Formula 1 presenting team". Channel 4. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
24. "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.
25. "Channel 4 announces 100% disabled presenting team for Winter Paralympics". Channel 4 . 8 February 2023.
26. "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.
27. "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.
28. "Who are Billy Monger and his sister Bonny? Celebrity Race Across The World 2023 cast". Radio Times. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

External links

• Official website
• Billy Monger career summary at DriverDB.com