BILLYMONGER: ANINSPIRATION

INTERVIEW: BILLY MONGER Howtheteenagerisplottingacomebackafteroneof2017’sworstmoments.by Stephenlickorish

“I’ve just been amazed that somebody can be as positive with what must be an exceptionally traumatic situation to be in. I don’t think anyone else would’ve reacted in that way. I know it’s a bit of a cliche that he is an inspiration, but he genuinely is.”

It was at this point that Monger began to realise just how much his story had touched the nation – and not just the motorsport community. The crash was headline TV news and a Justgiving page set-up by Hunter and former JHR racer and British Touring Car star Tomingram raised over £750,000 to help support Monger’s recovery in just a matter of days. There was an outpouring of emotion right from F1 champion Lewis Hamilton to young fans donating their pocket money to help.

“The support was a bit overwhelming – it was awesome,” says Monger. “I didn’t imagine I would get that kind of support.”

That level of support was evident at the next F4 round at Thruxton. While Monger had only just been released from hospital and couldn’t be there himself, a walk of the Hampshire track was attended by thousands and raised over £7,000. And to cap it off, Monger’s close friend Caroline made British F4 history by winning all three races and dedicated his triumphs to Monger.

Monger was then able to attend the following round at Oulton Park. “The first thing he wanted to do at Oulton was the data with Manuel [Sulaiman, JHR’S other British F4 driver]!” says Hunter. “And it was the same with Harry [Dyson] when he joined [the F4 team later in the year].”

But already Monger was preparing for his racing comeback and his first task was regaining his race licence. His first run back in a car came at Brands Hatch in July in Fun Cup machinery with the Team BRIT squad – the team that helps injured servicemen, and now civilians as well, to race.

“Eleven weeks after the crash was my first time in the Fun Cup car and that really helped,” says Monger. “It was a big step forward for me as, one that I could get my licence back, and two that I was competitive really early on that first day. It was good for me to see and show I hadn’t lost my passion.”

At Le Mans this year, Monger was announced as the first driver as part of quadruple amputee Frederic Sausset’s academy for disabled drivers that would work towards a 24 Hours outing. But the thought of returning to single-seaters was still in his mind.

“The plan initially was we thought we should maybe make the transition [into tin-tops] like Alex Zanardi did [the Italian moved away from single-seaters into touring cars after losing both of his legs in a 2001 Champ Car crash at the Lausitzring],” Monger explains. “That was our initial thought, but I asked the question ‘has anyone raced a singleseater before like me?’ I don’t think anyone has raced a single-seater after a crash like mine.”

However, there was a major barrier to Monger achieving this – and it wasn’t just whether he was physically able to race a single-seater. The FIA had a rule in place stating that disabled drivers cannot compete in single-seater categories. Upon hearing this, Monger decided to fight to get it changed.

“If I could change this one rule then maybe it was possible [to make a singleseater comeback],” he says. And with the support of the MSA, he was able to do just that.

“I got the confirmation earlier this month and that was really good to get that sorted quite early on as well,” says Monger. “Changing any rule of any form of sport takes time so we were hoping that it would be ready for the start of next year. It was a real boost. I’m hoping to have my first test in January and after that see how it goes. I’ve got a series in mind and I’m working with a team.”

So far Monger has completed extensive runs in a simulator to prepare for his comeback and he aims to get out in the car before committing to a series just to make sure he would be competitive.

And if that racing return means he heads back to the scene of the accident at Donington Park, he doesn’t view that as any problem at all.

“I don’t see Donington Park as being my enemy,” Monger states. “The track had nothing to do with it, it was just unfortunate that it was on that track. It could’ve happened anywhere – any circuit, on any corner.”

The fact that Monger has even got to this point is a real testament to his character and determination. “He certainly is a character that lifts people around him and not only himself,” says Hunter. “My thoughts of what we would do as a team certainly changed as Billy improved.”

One shining example of that determination came at Brands Hatch earlier this year when Monger completed a walk of the pitlane – using prosthetic limbs – for charity. Learning to walk again is just one of the challenges that he has faced since his accident and he says his recovery is still ongoing.

“I’m still learning – it’s a long process with what happened to me,” Monger says. “I’m learning something new every day.”

He reflects, unsurprisingly, that 2017 has been a “strange” year. “It’s difficult to sum up a year like this,” he says. “The first round-and-a-half of F4 was good and it was looking promising for at least a top three in the championship – it might’ve been higher but you never know. But then it all got spun on its head and it was all about recovery.

“In April I was just a 17-year-old trying to make a career out of motorsport. I feel I haven’t really done much but people have a view of me as an inspiration and it’s really nice to have their support.

“I’ve had a lot of messages from people saying I’ve inspired their kids – being able to have an impact on someone else’s life is pretty weird.”

That is typical of Monger’s modesty. He may feel he has not done much since his crash but others certainly do not feel the same way. He has picked up a number of prestigious gongs in recent weeks, including the President’s Award at the FIA’S Prize Giving Ceremony and being nominated for the Laureus World Sports Best Sporting Moment Award. Hunter says it is right that Monger is getting recognised for what he’s done: “The accolades he’s getting at present couldn’t be given to someone more deserving.”

Monger is quick to acknowledge that his accident has opened up new opportunities for him and massively raised his profile. But he is well aware that attention has some downsides too.

“The negative of it would be it adds pressure as everyone knows who you are,” he explains. “But I view it as good pressure because everyone wants me to do well. At the end of the day they are more concerned that I’m enjoying what I do.”

There will certainly be no shortage of fans wishing him well for 2018. The way he has become a household name – and not just for the crash itself, but for the way this down-to-earth and incredibly likeable guy has responded to it – has made sure of that.

And Hunter is certain that his protege can still have a successful racing career. “His way of being is rubbing off on people around him all the time,” he says. “He is destined for some great things.” ■