F1 hopeful, 18, issues fresh update after heartbreaking cancer diagnosis
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Will Macintyre, the teenage racing driver, has thanked the F1 and wider motorsport community for its “unbelievable” support after he was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer.
Macintyre, who has competed in the GB3 single-seater championship in 2025, announced last week that he is to step away from motorsport “for the foreseeable future” after being diagnosed with cancer of the lung and brain.
Will Macintyre thanks F1 and motorsport community for ‘unbelievable’ support
The 18-year-old, who previously finished as runner up in the Ginetta Junior Championship and British F4 in 2022 and 2023 respectively, confirmed the news in a post on social media.
Macintyre wrote: “This is a very different post to usual, but I’ll just spit it out.
“Over the past few months, I haven’t quite felt myself and now it’s starting to make a bit more sense as to why.
“I’ve been diagnosed with both brain and lung cancer. Sadly, it’s as serious as it sounds!
“The amazing team at Milton Keynes Hospital have already been incredible in helping put a plan together for how I’m going to fight this.
“Unfortunately, this does mean I won’t be racing for the foreseeable future. But rest assured the second I’m able to, I’ll be back behind the wheel where I belong.
“A massive thank you goes to my family and friends for their support and to everyone who continues to back me through this unexpected detour.”
Macintyre concluded his post with a hashtag reading: “I’ll be back.”
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The youngster’s post has been ‘liked’ by more than 88,000 accounts at the time of writing, with Sky F1 commentator David Croft and Nicolas Hamilton, the brother of Ferrari F1 driver and seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, among those to reply to the message.
Speaking to the BBC, Macintyre commented that the has been overwhelmed by the “unbelievable” support he has received since his illness was made public.
He said: “Even people I’ve never met before: Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli and Susie Wolff, all wishing me well.”
“It’s been unbelievable. Thanks everyone so, so much.”
Macintyre went on to reveal that his close friends have visited him in hospital with snacks, as well as a VR (virtual reality) headset, in a bid to make his spell on the sidelines more comfortable.
He added: “I’ve got as much sorted to make this as homey and as fun as possible.
“We’ve just got to make the time go by quicker and whenever I’m talking to anyone time flies by.”
The Buckinghamshire-born racer, who previously represented Sauber at karting level, opted against putting a timespan on his hopes of returning to racing, but vowed to be “back to winning at some stage.”
He said: “When [will I be back]? Not a clue.
“If it’s going to be in two weeks’ time or four years’ time, I don’t know. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I will be back. I love it too much.
“I’ll be back to winning at some stage, that’s for sure.”
In a statement following the news of Macintyre’s diagnosis, his Elite Motorsport team described it as a “priority” to “support Will and his family through every step of this challenge.”
The team said: “This is not the kind of news we ever imagined sharing but it’s important that we stand alongside Will Macintyre as he shares his journey.
“Over the past few months, Will hasn’t quite felt himself and following recent tests, he has now been diagnosed with both brain and lung cancer.
“Anyone who knows Will know the strength and determination he carries both on and off the track.
“With the incredible support of the team at Milton Keynes hospital, a treatment plan is already in place and the fight is underway.
“For now, this does mean that Will will not be racing but his passion for the sport remains undiminished.
“The moment he’s able, he’ll be back behind the wheel where he belongs.
“As a team, our priority is to support Will and his family through every step of this challenge.
“Will is, and always will be, a huge part of Elite Motorsport. Together, we’ll face this detour head on.”
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