'I woke up and my legs were amputated'...

Billy Monger describes Donington Park crash that would change his life

- By OSCAR FISHER

THE teenage racing driver and Formula One prospect who lost his legs in a horror crash at Donington Park has described the day that changed his life forever - and how he has lived his life to the "fullest extent" ever since.

In 2017, Billy Monger was hot property in motor racing, competing in Formula 4 British Championship (a feeder series to F1), and chasing his dream of becoming an F1 driver.

The Surrey-born driver claimed a podium in his first season in 2016, and another two podiums in the first six races in 2017. But on April 16, his racing career - and life as he knew it - changed forever.

While in the slipstream of the cars ahead on one of Donington Park's straights, the car ahead of him suddenly swerved to avoid the stationary car of Finnish driver Patrik Pasma. In less than a second, and before Billy had a chance to react, his car collided with Pasma's while travelling at "around 120mph".

Stewards and emergency services rushed to the track, including an air ambulance, and, not knowing the extent of his injuries, so-called "Billy Whizz" remained conscious throughout.

"The race started, I think I was lining up sixth or seventh, I believe, on the grid," said Billy, speaking on a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.

"I was making some passes on the cars in front [and] I sort of came up the crest of a hill. There was a stationary car that had spun off in those tricky conditions and was parked up on the racing line.