Teen racing driver who lost both legs in horror smash still bidding for F1

A TEENAGE racing driver who lost his legs in a crash will return to the track less than nine months later.

By Jack Andrews /

bil1 NC

WHEEL DEAL: (L to R) Corporal Sophie Burt, Private Cliff Hall, Billy, Private Lionel O’Connor

Billy Monger, 18, will drive in an exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC Arena this week and is already aiming for Formula 1.

He had his legs amputated after the high-speed crash during a Formula 4 race at Donington Park last April.

Billy, from Surrey, said: “My focus is on driving in F3 next season, we are working on a budget for it and long term I want to get into F1. 

“I’m so grateful to everyone who has backed me. I was in a coma for the first three days and then when I woke up all these donations had come flooding in.” 

bil2 ITV

HOPEFUL: Billy pictured with Nic Hamilton (Lewis' brother)

“Long term I want to get into F1”

Billy Monger

Stunt driver Terry Grant, who has been coaching the teenager, said: “He’s a brilliant driver.”

Mission Motorsport, a military charity that helps injured veterans, has also been backing Billy.

Private Lionel O’Connor, who lost his leg in an explosion in Iraq, said: “We have learnt a lot from being around Billy. His driving skills are pretty decent, to say the least.”

Billy will join a team of Mission Motorsport drivers to perform stunts in four Jaguar F-Types.