Billy Monger becomes youngest Segrave Trophy winner

Billy Monger has been made the youngest-ever recipient of the Segrave Trophy by the Royal Automobile Club as he continues to focus on his Formula 1 ambitions.

The 20-year-old had both of his lower legs amputated following a horrific accident at Donington Park during a British Formula 4 race in April 2017.

Having produced a stunning racing comeback, and is currently competing in the Euroformula Open championship, Monger has been recognised for his outstanding achievements by the Royal Automobile Club.

Monger joins a prestigious list of Segrave Trophy winners including Lewis Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, John Surtees, Sir Stirling Moss and most recently Sam Sunderland.

Monger has been awarded the Segrave Trophy in 2018 “for demonstrating exceptional courage and determination after great adversity and returning to high levels of motorsport.”

The young Brit made further history in May by winning at the Pau Grand Prix using a car run by Carlin adapted to his needs by moving the brake pedal and replacing the throttle pedal with a lever mounted on the steering wheel.

“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,” Monger said at the Segrave Trophy ceremony. “But I stayed at Pall Mall last night and it’s starting to sink in just how incredible it is. I’m super proud.”

Monger remains determined to climb the single-seater racing ladder with the ultimate goal of reaching F1 after paving the way for the FIA to grant new rules to allow him to race with an adjusted Formula 3-specification car.

“Doing the Channel 4 TV work and watching the Formula 1 and other support categories makes me feel like I need to be in those in the next couple of years and hopefully making my way up to Formula 1,” he said. “There is still a long way to go and I am only 20.

“Life is short and for me I could not be here right now and then none of this would matter, so I am living every moment as it comes towards me and just doing my best. I am concentrating on this year by doing the best job that I can and then think towards next year and keep going.”