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Who is Billy Monger and what’s he doing now?
He's got a huge challenge ahead once the Paralympics are over
TEEN racing driver Billy Monger lost both of his legs after a horrific crash, just days before his 18th birthday.
It didn't stop him returning behind the wheel though, and now he's back on our TV screens as part of the Channel 4 Paralympics presenting team.
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Who is Billy Monger?
Billy Monger, also known by his nickname “Billy Whizz”, has been driving since he was three, when his father bought him his first go-kart.
He competed all over the UK and the Channel Islands before he joined the F4 British Championship.
In 2016 - aged just 17 - he achieved three podium finishes in his first season.
His wins and thirst for the sport cemented his reputation as a young British driving talent.
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Monger remained with the team for the 2017 season - but it was sadly cut short by a horrific crash in 2017.
What happened in Billy Monger's car crash?
On April 16, 2017, Billy was involved in what was described as one of British motorsports most horrific crashes resulting in a double leg amputation.
A terrifying video shows the moment Billy smashed into a stationary vehicle at 120mph during the Formula 4 championship race in April 2017.
He was seen rounding another vehicle that blocked his view of Finnish racer Patrik Pasma's slowed car, before crashing into it.
Billy was trapped inside his vehicle for more than 90 minutes at the Derby racetrack, before he was airlifted to hospital in Nottingham.
Although he underwent a series of operations, doctors were unable to save his lower legs.
In a tweeted statement after the crash, Billy said: "The marshals, medics, doctors, air ambulance and extraction crews at Donnington along with all the staff at the Queens Medical Centre – what can I say?
“Without you guys I wouldn’t be here today! I will always thank you for saving my life.
"The one true hero of this tragic event has been my sister, Bonny who gave me the will to keep fighting!
"A value that I will continue to hold now...and for the rest of my life."
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How did Billy Monger recover from his injuries?
The astonishing journey from his crash to his comeback was detailed in documentary, Driven: The Billy Monger Story, which aired on the BBC in November 2018.
The film offers an amazing insight from the cockpit camera as his car ploughed into a stationary vehicle at Donnington Park, through the physical and mental recovery process, his fight to be let back in a racing car and friendship with Lewis Hamilton.
Nowadays, Billy races in an adapted car with manual throttle.
Watch The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4
What is Billy Monger doing now?
Billy is back driving after his crash.
In December 2017, he went to Paris to persuade the FIA, the sport’s governing body, to end their ban on disabled drivers in single-seater racing.
A month later, he was in the cockpit of his adapted Carlin F3 car, operating the throttle with a paddle on the steering wheel.
The "Whizz" also moved up from Formula 4 to F3 racing
Billy took third place at Oulton Park in his first race in the British F3 Championship in 2018.
And in May 2019 he win in the Euroformula Open Grand Prix de Pau.
It was around this time that Billy joined Channel 4 to offer expert analysis during their F1 coverage.
In February 2021, Billy signed up for a Comic Relief challenge - involving walking, kayaking and cycling for 140 miles.
Taking place over four days, he was supported by family, friends and special guests to help spur him on to the finish line.
He started the challenge on February 22, 2021, in Gateshead, before having to take a rest day on Tuesday 23, due to extreme weather conditions.
Billy completed the gruelling task by February 26, 2021, reaching the finish line at Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent.
In a piece written for the , Monger said his "Red Nose Day challenge was one of the toughest weeks" of his life.
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He continued: "It is rare that I feel proud of myself or what I have achieved, but I am so relieved not to have let anyone down and to have made it past the finish post.
"It was the most incredible four days of my life and even now I still don’t think it has properly sunk in."
He added: "I feel honoured to have been allowed to do this and I only hope it inspires other people to realise that anything is possible with the right support and to donate to Comic Relief if they can."
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Following on from his Comic Relief appearance, Billy was announced as one of the stars taking part in the BBC's 2023 series of Celebrity Race Across The World.
It definitely was out of my comfort zone, but I actually really firmly enjoyed it and made some great memories.
Billy Monger
He appeared alongside his sister Bonny - however viewers were gutted when the pair had to pull out.
It was announced at the beginning of the final episode of the series, with the rest of the competitors handed a letter to explain their absence.
Billy took to social media afterwards to share the personal reason behind having to leave the show at the final hurdle.
He wrote: "Bon and I were gutted to have to leave the race.
"A close family member had a bad accident so we had to get home.
"Thankfully all ok now. We loved the journey!"
Speaking to Virgin Radio about his experience on the show, Billy said that being known for his sporting work meant that a reality competition gave audiences “a different side” to him they hadn't seen before.
He said: “Just my personality, my character, how I worked as a team with my sister, and it definitely was out of my comfort zone, but I actually really firmly enjoyed it and made some great memories.”
In October 2024 he's set to push himself even further.
He'll be taking part in another challenge for Comic Relief - and this time he'll attempt the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship.
The charity says the brutal 17 hour, 140.6-mile race will push his body, mind, and spirit to their absolute limit.
Is Billy Monger part of the 2024 Paralympics?
Channel 4 unveiled a top presenting line-up for the 2024 Paralympics.
The broadcaster has ripped up its schedules to bring viewers hours of coverage of the spectacular, live from Paris.
Billy Monger will be a part of the presenting team alongside famous names including five-time gold medal-winning swimmer Ellie Simmonds, actress and Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis and veteran broadcaster Clare Balding.
The Paralympic Games from Paris run for eleven days from August 28, 2024.
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