GOOD NEWS ❤️ “No professional racing driver should have to go through this alone. I will do everything I can to support them.” Scott Dixon has reached out to cover the full medical costs of 18-year-old British talent Will MacIntyre of Elite Motorsport, after he was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer.
In the high-octane world of motorsport, where split-second decisions and unyielding determination define careers, stories of resilience often emerge from the shadows of adversity. The latest chapter in this narrative comes not from the roar of engines on the track but from an act of profound compassion off it. Scott Dixon, the six-time IndyCar champion and one of racing’s most enduring icons, has stepped forward to alleviate the financial burdens facing 18-year-old British prodigy Will MacIntyre. Diagnosed with lung and brain cancer just weeks ago, MacIntyre’s promising trajectory in the GB3 Championship has been paused, but Dixon’s pledge to cover his full medical costs signals a beacon of hope amid the darkness.
The news broke on September 17, 2025, when MacIntyre, a driver for Elite Motorsport, shared his diagnosis via an emotional Instagram post. “This is a very different post to usual, but I’ll just spit it out,” the young talent wrote, his words carrying the weight of a future suddenly upended. “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!” At an age when most teenagers are charting paths toward independence, MacIntyre found himself confronting a battle far beyond the cockpit—one that demanded he step away from the sport he loves, at least for now.
MacIntyre’s journey in racing had been nothing short of meteoric. Hailing from the UK, he burst onto the scene as a karting sensation, earning a spot in the prestigious Sauber Karting Team. His ascent continued in junior formulas, where he clinched runner-up honors in the 2022 Ginetta Junior Championship and followed it with a vice-championship in British F4 the next year. By 2024, racing for Hitech Pulse-Eight in GB3, he notched three victories—including triumphs at Spa, Silverstone, and Oulton Park—finishing fifth in the standings with six podiums to his name. Switching to Elite Motorsport for the 2025 season, MacIntyre carried that momentum, securing a win at Silverstone in April and sitting fifth in the drivers’ championship after six rounds, just 11 points behind leader Deagen Fairclough. Pundits had pegged him as a future Formula 1 contender, drawing parallels to alumni like Lando Norris and George Russell who had graduated from GB3’s competitive fields.
Yet, subtle signs of unease had crept in during recent months—fatigue that no amount of rest could shake, focus that wavered just enough to unsettle a driver accustomed to precision. Tests at Milton Keynes University Hospital confirmed the devastating reality: tumors in both his lungs and brain, a dual diagnosis that underscores the aggressive nature of his condition. “The amazing team at Milton Keynes Hospital have already been incredible in helping put a plan together for how I am going to fight this,” MacIntyre continued in his post. “Unfortunately, this does mean I won’t be racing for the foreseeable future. But rest assured the second I am able to, I’ll be back behind the wheel where I belong.” His resolve shone through, a testament to the fighter’s spirit that had propelled him up the racing ladder.
Elite Motorsport responded swiftly with a statement of unwavering solidarity. “It’s important that we stand alongside Will MacIntyre as he shares his journey,” the team said. “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. 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.” The outpouring of support from the paddock was immediate and heartfelt. Fellow GB3 competitors Jak Crawford, John Bennett, and Sebastian Montoya flooded his post with messages of encouragement, while the broader motorsport community rallied online. “Fuck cancer. Beat cancer’s ass, MacIntyre!” read one viral Reddit thread, capturing the raw emotion rippling through fan forums.
Into this storm of solidarity sailed Scott Dixon, the New Zealand-born maestro whose 20-year IndyCar career includes 57 wins and a record-equaling six championships. At 45, Dixon remains a force, blending veteran savvy with the kind of empathy forged from years in a sport that chews up the young and spits out the weary. Learning of MacIntyre’s plight through industry channels, Dixon didn’t hesitate. In a statement shared via social media on September 20, he declared, “No professional racing driver should have to go through this alone. I will do everything I can to support them.” True to his word, Dixon committed to footing the bill for MacIntyre’s comprehensive treatment regimen, which could encompass chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, and ongoing monitoring—costs that, in the UK’s mixed healthcare system, often leave families grappling with substantial out-of-pocket expenses for specialized care.
Dixon’s gesture is more than financial relief; it’s a lifeline from one generation to the next. Having navigated his own brushes with injury and the relentless grind of professional racing, Dixon understands the isolation that can accompany such trials. “Racing is a family,” he told reporters in a brief IndyCar presser following the announcement. “When one of us is hurting, we all feel it. Will’s got the talent to light up the grids for years—brain, lungs, whatever gets thrown at him, he’s got the grit to come back stronger.” MacIntyre, reached briefly by phone from his hospital bed, expressed profound gratitude. “Scott’s offer means the world. It’s not just about the money; it’s knowing someone’s got your back when the track feels a million miles away.”
This act of generosity has ignited broader conversations within motorsport about athlete welfare. Organizations like the FIA and Motorsport UK have long championed mental health initiatives, but Dixon’s move spotlights the need for robust financial safety nets, especially for emerging talents without the safety cushions of established stars. Fundraising efforts have already sprung up, with a GoFundMe page for MacIntyre surpassing £50,000 in donations within days, fueled by contributions from fans, teams, and even rival drivers. As treatment begins— a multidisciplinary plan tailored to target the tumors while preserving neurological function—MacIntyre’s focus shifts from qualifying laps to quiet victories: each clear scan, each regained ounce of strength.
In an era where racing’s glamour often overshadows its human toll, stories like this remind us of the individuals behind the helmets. Will MacIntyre’s detour, as he calls it, may sideline him temporarily, but with allies like Dixon in his corner, the road back to the start line gleams with possibility. For now, the 18-year-old rests, rallies his inner fire, and dreams of the day when engines thunder again under his command. In the words of his benefactor, no racer fights alone—and in that unity lies the true speed of recovery.
