F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Amazing Billy Monger steals everyone's thunder in Pau!

Two years after the horrendous accident at Donington in which he lost both legs, Billy Monger claimed a sensational win in the Euroformula Open series in Pau.

Monger is racing in the competitive pan-European single-seater championship at the wheel of a specially adapted car fielded by Carlin.

In Sunday's event, the 20-year-old relinquished his 11th position on the grid to head to the pits at the end of the formation lap where he bolted on a set of wet weather tyres, a make-or-break strategy he attempted as a few drops of rain hit his visor.

Monger set off dead last but the bold bet paid off. On the wet track he quickly made up the lost ground and whizzed past his rivals, swiftly moving up the order.

A clash up ahead between Motopark leaders Julian Hanses and Liam Lawson put Monger in command, the young Brit holding his own to score an amazing win, edging Carlin team mate Nicolai Kaergaard by 1.12 seconds.

"I just tried to pick them off one by one," said Monger.

"I just didn’t believe two years ago that I’d be winning races. I can’t believe it – I was dead last after the first lap when I pitted.

"Me and my engineer were fighting over the radio, he was saying we stay slicks. It was so slippery I came in [for wets] and it was the right call."

Last year, Billy Monger became the first disabled driver to race in the British F3 championship, securing his first pole position at Donington in September 2018.

Today, the inspiring story of this incredible young man just entered a new chapter.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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