Southampton's Stoneman back on track

Dean Stoneman made an impressive return to single seater racing in the GP3 series in Abu Dhabi today as his amazing comeback continues.

Back in November 2010, newly crowned Formula Two champion Dean Stoneman had a taste of Formula One driving the Williams car in a test at the Abu Dhabi circuit. Dean was clearly headed for the top, with a deal in place for a drive as team-mate to Daniel Ricciardo in the World Series by Renault and was being described as the next Jenson Button. Just weeks later the 20 year old was battling for his life at Southampton General Hospital, diagnosed with a rare form of testicular cancer and given just a 30% chance of survival.

Stoneman on his way to the Formula Two title

Stoneman’s comeback has been nothing short of incredible. After spending most of 2011 in hospital as the cancer spread to his lungs and liver, undergoing 14 hour chemotherapy sessions and pushing the limits of how much treatment his body could stand, he returned to sport in 2012, becoming P1 Superstock UK Powerboat Champion on the water and racing Radical sports cars on the road.

Now proudly wearing the logo of Southampton charity Wessex Cancer Trust on his overalls, Dean has had a successful 2013. With five wins in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, he looked set to continue in sports cars, considering taking on the gruelling Le Mans 24 hour race. It seemed that a factory drive in a GT3 category car would be the most likely route for continuing a racing career and that the Formula 1 dream was over.

Dean Stoneman in Formula Renault

That dream has been reignited with the opportunity to race the GP3 car in one of the Grand Prix support events at the Yas Marina circuit this weekend. Finishing a very respectable sixth today, Stoneman will be looking to further impress tomorrow as the F1 paddock watches on. In a sport where second chances are rare, Dean has shown huge determination to fight back from the worst of illnesses and at 23 is once again fighting his way to the top of motor racing.