Stoneman survived the odds to get back behind the wheel and race again

IN A crazy life-and-near-death story, top British racing driver Dean Stoneman, who finished second in the 2014 GP3 world championship, has overcome a horrendous physical challenge and accepted an invitation to join the Red Bull Junior Team programme.

He will now follow in the wheel tracks of four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, F1’s 2014 star Daniel Ricciardo and F1’s youngest driver Max Verstappen, who were all members of the same Red Bull F1 start-up programme.

But his is no ordinary success story. Like most drivers, Dean began his career in karting. He then took his tentative first step in single-seater events when he competed in the British Formula Renault championship in 2006.

A more serious effort the following year was rewarded when he secured the runnerup spot.

Growing in stature, he went on to win the international FIA Formula 2 championship in 2010, a feat that secured him a test drive with the Williams F1 team. However although he spent time with the team during a protracted session on the Abu Dhabi GP circuit, he was not offered a contract.

Then tragedy struck and plans to spend 2011 racing in Formula Renault’s big 3.5 Series that many consider to be a natural stepping stone to F1, had to suddenly be put on hold.

The super-fit 20-year-old driver who had earlier consulted his doctor about the pain he was experiencing in his nipples and testicles, was relieved to hear it was no more than a temporary hormone imbalance. However, when the symptoms continued for the next few months and gradually became worse, he eventually saw another GP and was immediately diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and abdomen. He was warned there was no more than a 40% chance of survival.

However, he refused to give up and began a period when he was having up to 14 hours of intensive chemotherapy a day. It left him with side-effects that included a total loss of hair, and a lack of feeling in his feet.

But while it also took two years out of his life, he went into remission and was eventually able to get back to full fitness and resume his racing career.

With Red Bull’s backing Dean is going to be competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series later this year and is confident it will eventually lead to a seat in a Formula One car, hopefully a Red Bull or possibly with Toro Rosso, their other team.

Racing aside, he is also suing the original doctor, who made the incorrect diagnosis, for a considerable amount as compensation for pain, suffering and loss of earnings.