On Saturday, Monger placed third at Oulton Park on his return to the track in a Formula 3 car adapted with a throttle on the steering wheel and a single brake pedal for one of his two prosthetic legs.
Naturally and quite rightly, the incredible achievement attracted plaudits from across the motorsport world.
“It’s a bit surreal but an awesome feeling even to be back,” he said.
“If you told me I was going to be on the podium on my first race back I would have said you were lying.”
Indeed. On April 16, 2017, two weeks before his 18th birthday, Monger crashed into the back of a rival’s car which had stopped.
He was airlifted to hospital after being trapped in his vehicle for more than 90 minutes. He was in a coma for three days before waking to find both legs had been amputated.
Speaking last month, Monger revealed vivid memories of the seconds after the horrific collision.
“I knew it was a big crash but I was still awake in the car, at the time I didn’t feel any pain. I could hear the guy that I’d hit screaming in his car, so the first thing I said when the medics came was ‘Go and look after him’.”
Saturday’s return is truly one of sport’s most-inspiring stories. He qualified in fifth place and went even better to reach the podium when finishing third. There is undoubtedly more to come.
“I’m getting more comfortable in the car with the controls every time I go out,” he said.
“So to be third so early on in the season and qualifying in the top five for the start of the year, that just really fills me with confidence that, come the middle of the season, towards the end of the season, we should really be aiming for podiums every race.
“I would love to have a shot at the title and a full season is where me and the team want this to go.”
