Billy Monger
Billy Monger | |
---|---|
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 |
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]
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]
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
In February 2018, Monger drove a
In June 2018, Monger drove a
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 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
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 | KF3
|
8th | |
KF3
|
Forza Racing | 36th | |
KF3
|
31st | ||
2013 | KFJ
|
Forza Racing | 65th |
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
- ^ 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).
- ^ 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).
- ^ 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).
- ^ Alan Baldwin (2017). "Motor racing-Hamilton hopes Zanardi can inspire injured British teen". Newswire. Wards Auto.
- ^ a b "F1 Russian GP: F1 teams show support for Billy Monger in Sochi". Crash.net. 28 April 2017.
- ^ Alan Baldwin (2017). "Motor racing-Hamilton hopes Zanardi can inspire injured British teen". Newswire. Wards Auto.
- ^ "Sports Personality of the Year: Billy Monger to receive Helen Rollason Award". BBC. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "Billy Monger joins Channel 4's Formula 1 presenting team". Channel 4. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ^ bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
- ^ Paice, Simon (25 February 2016). "Monger stays with JHR for MSA Formula move". thecheckeredflag.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ "Billy Monger recommits to JHR Developments for 2017 British F4 title tilt". Racing News. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ Formula 4: British driver Billy Monger suffers leg injuries in crash - BBC Sport (16 April 2017)
- ^ Formula 4: British driver Billy Monger has legs amputated - BBC News (19 April 2017)
- ^ "F4 racer Monger Suffers leg injuries in horror Donington Crash". Motorsport. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Formula 4: Jenson Button pledges £15,000 to support British driver Billy Monger - BBC Sport (20 April 2017)
- autosport.com. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
- bbc.co.uk. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ESPN (UK TV channel). Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- autosport.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ^ "Billy Monger: Double amputee hails 'surreal' podium finish on British F3 debut". BBC Sport. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- ^ "Billy's Big Challenge". Comic Relief. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "Billy Monger joins Channel 4's Formula 1 presenting team". Channel 4. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Channel 4 announces 100% disabled presenting team for Winter Paralympics". Channel 4. 8 February 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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