The comeback story of Billy Monger was already amazing. A few weeks after having his legs amputated he was back behind the wheel of a racing car and planning a future assault on Le Mans, then he tested a Formula 3 car. Then it was announced that he had a deal to compete in the opening round of the BRDC British F3 Championship with Carlin at Oulton Park thanks to a car with specially adapted hand controls.

It was already a serious feel-good story, but that first race has come and gone and having qualified fifth, he went on to finish a remarkable third – less than a year after his accident. A podium on debut in any series is impressive enough, but given Billy’s story, it’s simply remarkable.

He gained the positions at the start after two cars ahead of him went off at the first corner, bringing out the safety car. When racing resumed he had to fend off pressure from Tom Gamble for the rest of the race, the gap rarely more than a second, but after 10 laps crossed the line to take third, just a few seconds behind winner Linus Lundqvist.

Monger will do two more races on Monday, but so far his deal to race in the series only covers this weekend. After today’s performance, I suspect he won’t have too much trouble getting the funding for the rest of the season. Proof – as if it was needed – that Billy’s determination was going to overcome the small matter of being a double amputee. Simply astonishing.