Monger honoured at BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Billy Monger was honoured at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony in Birmingham on Sunday night, receiving the Helen Rollason Award.
Monger, 19, returned to racing in 2018 less than a year after having both of his legs amputated following a severe accident in a British Formula 4 race at Donington Park in April 2017.
Billy Monger was honoured at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony in Birmingham on Sunday night, receiving the Helen Rollason Award.
Monger, 19, returned to racing in 2018 less than a year after having both of his legs amputated following a severe accident in a British Formula 4 race at Donington Park in April 2017.
Using a modified car, Monger finished sixth for Carlin in the final British Formula 3 standings in 2018 with two pole positions and four podium finishes to his name.
Monger also took part in a Formula 1 test using a modified Sauber car, and is targeting a move into the new FIA Formula 3 Championship next year.
The Helen Rollason Award honours sporting figures for "outstanding achievement in the face of adversity" as part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year prize giving. Previous recipients include Tanni Grey-Thompson, Frank Williams and 2017 posthumous winner Bradley Lowery.
Monger became the 2018 winner of the Helen Rollason Award on Sunday night, with five-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton making the award presentation. Both were joined on stage by many of Monger's Carlin team crew, as well as the doctors and marshals who were on-site at Donington Park on the day of his accident.
The winner of the Helen Rollason award, @BillyMonger
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 16, 2018
Watch #SPOTY LIVE on @BBCOne and here: https://t.co/lGCzvNDJFG pic.twitter.com/NNh5qXk6fa
"I’ve got to say a massive thank you for this award," Monger said. "I have to say a massive thank you to everyone in the audience. Quite simply, without these guys, I might not be here today. It’s a real honour to be able to share the stage with them. They saved my life, it’s as simple as that.
"I set my targets quite high after my accident to get back racing. Without everyone at Carlin, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my dream to get back racing."
