Teen Racing Star Diagnosed with Lung and Brain Cancer at 18

A rising star British race car driver has been diagnosed with brain and lung cancer at the age of 18.

In a post on social media, Will Macintyre shared more about his recent health diagnosis and why he’s had to step away from the sport.

“This is a very different post to usual, but I’ll just spit it out,” Macintyre wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday, Sept. 17. “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.”

He continued, “I’ve been diagnosed with both brain and lung cancer. Sadly, it’s as serious as it sounds! 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.”

Macintyre credited his “amazing team” at Milton Keynes Hospital in Eaglestone, which is about 50 miles north of London.

The race car driver, who turned 18 on Aug. 14, competes in the GB3 Championship for Elite Motorsport.

Earlier this year, he won at Silverstone, and took two podiums at Zandvoort and Hungaroring, according to Racingnews365.

Previously, the teenager raced for Hitech Pulse-Eight in 2024. He was the 2023 British F4 vice-champion and the 2022 Ginetta Junior Championship runner-up. Macintyre is a former member of the Sauber Karting Team.

As his family and friends rally around him, fellow race car drivers are also showing their support.

Jak Crawford, John Bennett and Sebastian Montoya wrote encouraging messages in the comments of his post, while Elite Motorsport also shared a statement.

“Anyone who knows Will knows the strength and determination he carries both on and off the track,” an Elite spokesperson said, according to NationalWorld. “As a team, our priority is to support Will and his family through every step of this challenge.”

In turn, the F1 prospect said he is feeling the love.

“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 wrote.