Billy Monger's historic victory at 78th edition of Pau Grand Prix

One of the greatest moments in the recent history of motorsport happened today at the 78th edition of the famous Grand Prix de Pau. The race was won by Billy Monger, the 20-year-old Carlin’s driver from England who is a double-amputee after being injured in a racing crash at F4 race two years ago.

Billy successfully returned to racing last year in the British Formula 3 Championship, scoring three podiums, but what he did today at the streets of the French town Pau was a victory that would enter historic racing books not only because of his handicap but also because of a masterful strategy and performance on a way to the top podium spot.

Billy Monger at the finish line of Pau Grand Prix

The 78th Pau Grand Prix was the second race of the EuroFormula Open weekend at Pau and the fourth race of the season. It was the first time that Pau Grand Prix served as EF Open race, previously the race was a part of now defuncted FIA Formula 3 European Championship.

After finishing tenth in the first EF Open race at Pau on Saturday, Billy Monger qualified 11th for Sunday’s Grand Prix de Pau. Coming to the track on slick tyres, Billy and his engineer made a decision to switch to wet tyres at the end of warm-up lap. After that, his drive on the iconic 2.760km long circuit was like a rhapsody. He overtook nearly the whole grid and took a dominant victory ahead of Carlin teammate Nicolai Kjaergaard. Yuki Tsunoda (Motopark) finished the race in the third place.