Formula 4 driver Billy Monger vows to race again after losing legs in crash

A teenage racing driver who lost both legs in an horrific crash has said he wants to get back behind the wheel.

Billy Monger from Surrey was competing in a Formula 4 event on Sunday (16 April) when his car smashed into the back of the one in front, driven by Finnish driver Patrik Pasma, which had stopped on the track.

The horrifying incident at Donington Park in Leicestershire was captured on Billy's onboard camera and streamed live on ITV4. Commentators called it "horrendous".

The teenager, described as a gifted driver, was trapped for more than 90 minutes before he was airlifted to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

He was left in a critical condition and was placed in an induced coma. As a result of his injuries doctors were forced to amputate both his legs below the knees. He emerged from the coma on Wednesday.

Steven Hunter, manager of Billy's racing team JHR Developments, told Sky News that even in the face of his injuries the 17-year-old was undeterred and was already thinking about how he might be able to race again.

"He has always been a remarkable young man and he's proving yet again his strength and his resilience," explained Hunter.

"I've never had a driver that puts so much effort and time into ensuring he produces the best he possibly can. Billy's already had his hands up pretending to use a steering wheel and seeing if he can use a hand clutch in his own imagination.

"You'll never take the racing driver out of the racing driver, so I wouldn't put it past him," he added.

A Just Giving page set up to pay for Billy's long-term care and recovery has already raised more than £500,000 - almost double the target of £260,000.

Racing stars Lewis Hamilton, Jensen Button and Max Verstappen, and Hollywood actor Woody Harrelson have given their support to the campaign to rehabilitate Monger.

Button, who donated £15,000, wrote on Instagram: "Hey guys this fellow racer Billy Monger had a big shunt this past weekend at Donington and sadly Billy has had amputations to both legs.

"This guy needs our help so if you can please donate, I will be doing as much as I can to help this dude out.

"The donations will be used to fund the care, treatments and therapies required by Billy in the immediate future and going forward, helping him to return to a full and active life."

Lewis Hamilton tweeted: