Heroic Billy Monger wins Pau Grand Prix two years after having legs amputated
INSPIRATIONAL Billy Monger celebrated his first victory since having both legs amputated following a crash two years ago as he overtook nearly the whole grid to win the Grand Prix de Pau.
The 20-year-old, whose legs were amputated following a crash during a British F4 race at Donington Park two years ago, took his first win in the Euroformula Open race in France.
He signed up for EuroFormula Open in April and is hoping to make the step up to the top with Formula One.
Monger said on Twitter: “Can’t believe it, I didn’t think 2 years on I’d be winning races!”
He added he was “over the moon”.
KEEP INSPIRING US
Monger, whose car Team Carlin is specially adapted, qualified in 11th place on slick tyres, but headed into the pits at the end of the warm-up lap to switch to wet-weather tyres.
And the gamble paid off as he cut through the field, taking the lead when Motopark drivers Julian Hanses and Liam Lawson clashed, and not relinquishing it.
Monger also shared his post on Instagram and got a congratulatory reply from Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team.
The said: “Congratulations Billy, what an incredible achievement. Keep inspiring us.”
Monger is set to race with Team Carlin at Hockenheim in Germany next weekend before Spa in Belgium the following weekend.
And he faces an emotional homecoming at Silverstone in September in the third-last race of the season.
