BREAKING : Max Verstappen Sends Heartfelt Support to Teenage Racer Battling Cancer… Read more
Max Verstappen Sends Heartfelt Support to Teenage Racer Battling Cancer
Teenage racing driver Will Macintyre has revealed he received a moving gesture from reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen after announcing his cancer diagnosis earlier this month.
Macintyre, an 18-year-old talent competing in the GB3 Championship and a former British F4 vice-champion, took to Instagram recently to share the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with both brain and lung cancer. In his statement, the young driver explained that he would have to step away from the sport he loves to begin treatment immediately.
Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, Macintyre made it clear that his passion for racing remains unshaken. He has vowed to fight the illness with determination and to one day make a return to the track.
Since his announcement, messages of encouragement and support have poured in from across the motorsport community. Speaking to BBC News, Macintyre revealed that some of the sport’s most influential figures had personally reached out to him, including F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff, rising Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli, and four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
“Even people I’ve never met before: Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli and Susie Wolff, all wishing me well,” Macintyre said gratefully. “It’s been unbelievable. Thanks everyone so, so much.”
The teenager also shared how his friends and family have rallied around him during this difficult time. Loved ones have tried to lift his spirits, bringing sweets, snacks, and even a VR headset so that he can play golf from his hospital bed. “We just have to make the time go by quicker,” he explained. “Whenever I’m talking to anyone, time flies by.”
Macintyre’s diagnosis came after he began suffering from persistent migraines earlier this month. When he visited doctors for further checks, the shocking results were confirmed within hours. Despite the seriousness of his condition, the young racer has displayed remarkable positivity, saying he does not yet know whether it will take months or years, but he is determined that racing will again be part of his future.
The announcement of his illness has drawn an outpouring of love from fans and figures across the racing world. His initial Instagram post has been liked nearly 90,000 times, with thousands of people offering words of encouragement. Among those to comment was Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft, who wrote: “Sending big love and positivity from Laura and I mate. Stay strong Champ.” Nicolas Hamilton, brother of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and a successful BTCC driver himself, also added his support, commenting: “You got this bro!”
Macintyre’s journey in motorsport began at the age of eight when he first took up karting. His talent was quickly evident, and he climbed the junior ranks to finish as runner-up in the 2023 British F4 Championship. His rapid progress had made him one of Britain’s brightest young prospects, with many tipping him for success at higher levels of single-seater racing.
Though his racing career is now on hold, the goodwill of the global motorsport community—and the encouragement from icons like Max Verstappen—has given Macintyre a powerful source of motivation as he embarks on the toughest battle of his young life.
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