Double amputee racing driver wins prestigious trophy

At 20 years old, Billy Monger is the youngest ever recipient of the Segrave Trophy

Class act: Billy Monger presented with the Segrave Trophy by Ben Cussons, chairman of the Royal Automobile Club (RAC Club)

A teenager who lost both of his legs in a horrific motor racing accident two years ago has been awarded the prestigious Segrave Trophy by the Royal Automobile Club, in recognition of his courage and skill in getting back behind the wheel.

Double amputee racing driver Billy Monger had to have both of his lower legs removed after a Formula 4 championship race at Donington Park in May 2017. He was involved in a high-speed collision with a stationary car, and trapped for 90 minutes while medics extricated him from the wreckage. Despite the best efforts of surgeons, he lost his legs. Yet he refused to give up a promising career. Acknowledging the young man’s remarkable return to racing after his ordeal, the citation for the award reads; “For demonstrating exceptional courage and determination after great adversity and returning to high levels of motorsport.”

Speaking at the presentation lunch, Ben Cussons, chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, paid this tribute: “Lady Segrave commissioned the trophy in 1930, soon after her husband, Sir Henry Segrave, died after breaking the water speed record on Lake Windermere. It was her wish that the trophy would celebrate British nationals who demonstrated outstanding skill, courage and initiative ‒ the spirit of adventure ‒ whether on land, sea or air.”

Gold standard: the Segrave Trophy (RAC Club)

He added: “We are delighted to award the trophy to Billy whose comeback to the sport, which included the overturning of existing FIA regulations, has been extraordinary and demonstrates exceptional bravery and determination. He represents everything that Lady Segrave wanted to honour and that Sir Henry would have admired.”

On receiving the trophy, Monger said: “My life has become so busy with my Formula 1 commentary and my own racing, I haven’t had a chance to digest how amazing this award is. But I stayed at Pall Mall last night and it’s starting to sink in just how incredible it is. I’m super proud.”

At 20 years old, Billy Monger is the youngest ever recipient of the Segrave Trophy. Prior to commencing his professional career in British F4 in 2016, the lower rung of the ladder that can lead to F1 grand prix championships, Billy raced karts and successfully competed in the Ginetta Junior Championship, where in 2016 he finished 12th and was affectionally nicknamed “Billy Whizz”.

After his accident, and encouraged by an outpouring of support from the legions of racing fans and the motorsport industry, Monger was back behind the wheel at Brands Hatch and last year entered the British F3 Championship, a series that has fostered drivers such as Ayrton Senna, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo. The car was adapted to Monger’s needs, such as moving the brake pedal and replacing the throttle pedal with a lever mounted on the steering wheel. He achieved his first single-seater win at the Pau Grand Prix Euroformula Open race on 19 May this year, driving for Carlin.

The Royal Automobile Club also awarded Trevor Carlin of Carlin Motorsport the Segrave Medal in recognition of the fundamental role that he has played on Monger’s journey back to motorsport.

The medal, presented at the club’s discretion, is only awarded in conjunction with the trophy when the committee feels it’s justified. It was last awarded in 2014 to Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Audi’s head of motorsport and team drivers Tom Kristensen and Loïc Duval for their contribution to Allan McNish’s dramatic victories at Le Mans 24 Hours and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Carlin said: “I’m delighted to be included on such a staggering list of legends. In a hundred years’ time when people look back and hear Billy’s story, they will say how on earth did he ever manage that – I’m delighted to be a part of that story.”

Previous winners of the Segrave Trophy include Sir Malcolm Campbell (1933 and 1939), Bruce McLaren (1969), Sir Jackie Stewart (1973 and 1999), Sir Frank Williams (1992), John Surtees CBE (2012) and John McGuinness (2016).