BILLY Monger become one of the most famous racers in UK history after overcoming a terrifying crash.
Now, the racer has taken on a mammoth challenge to raise money for Comic Relief 2025.
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Billy’s early career and terrifying accident
Billy Monger has been driving since he was three, when his father bought him his first go-kart.
In 2016 – aged just 17 – he achieved three podium finishes in his first season.
Monger remained with the team for the 2017 season – but it was sadly cut short by a horrific crash in 2017.
On April 16, 2017, Billy was involved in a terrifying crash which resulted in him having both legs amputated.
He crashed into a stationary vehicle at 120mph during the Formula 4 championship race in April 2017.
The racer was trapped in his vehicle for more than 90 minutes before being airlifted to hospital.
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.”
Billy’s incredible recovery
Billy’s incredible recovery was detailed in the documentary Driven: The Billy Monger Story.
He now races in an adapted car with a manual throttle.
In December 2017, he went to Paris and persuaded the FIA to end their band 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.
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.
Billy’s Comic Relief challenges
In 2021, Billy took on a gruelling Comic Relief challenge which involved 140 miles of walking, kayaking and cycling.
He revealed that it was one of the “toughest weeks” of his life.
Billy 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.”
The star has taken on another incredible challenge to raise money for Comic Relief in 2025.
He braved the terrifying Ironman challenge, a triathlon involving 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run.
Ahead of the challenge, which will take place in Kailua-Kona, Billy said: “Kona’s not an easy Ironman, not that any of them are easy.
“There’s every challenge you could ask for in an Ironman.
“Heat, humidity; people have been swept off their bikes because the wind catches them and takes it from underneath them.
“It’s going to be brutal.”
Fans can watch Billy’s incredible journey on March 19, 2025, when Billy Monger: The Race Is On For Comic Relief airs on the BBC.
Anyone who misses the live broadcast can catch up on BBC One.
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