Nicolas Hamilton Shares Struggles in Motorsport Career and Addresses Critics: ‘Lewis Has Never Funded My Racing’
Nicolas Hamilton, a 31-year-old British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) racer who battles cerebral palsy, has candidly discussed the challenges he has faced in his motorsport journey, shedding light on the perception of his relationship with seven-time F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton.
Despite the limitations imposed by cerebral palsy on his mobility, Nicolas Hamilton has remained determined to pursue his racing ambitions. In April, he achieved a career-high in BTCC, finishing sixth at Donington Park, a race attended by his older brother, Lewis.
In an interview with The Independent, Nicolas Hamilton clarified that Lewis has not financially supported his motorsport endeavors. He addressed the unfounded claims that his racing career is only due to his famous sibling’s influence, saying, “Lewis has never put a penny into my motorsport. There’s people who still don’t believe me when I say that, but that is literally the situation.”
Nicolas has endured online trolling and unwarranted criticism, with many asserting that he owes his BTCC presence to Lewis. He reflected on the relief of silencing his critics on April 23rd, describing it as a significant moment in his career. He shared, “It was a load of relief and a lot of weight off my shoulders. When you’re slogging at it for so long, you feel like it’s not going to come. Every time you do something negative, you feel like you’re proving people right. So it was a telling day.”
The constant comparisons to his highly successful sibling have made Nicolas’s journey challenging. He revealed, “Ever since I’ve started racing, it’s been hard because people compare me to Lewis and say I’m only there because he’s a multi-millionaire.”
Despite the difficulties, Nicolas expressed his admiration for Lewis and acknowledged the pivotal role he has played in the family’s support system. He said, “He’s still a massive reason why I’m as strong as I am and why I’m out of my wheelchair. I’m still his No 1 fan. Lewis and my dad [Anthony], he has been the anchor for the whole family. But it’s been really hard being related to Lewis and trying to carve my own career in motorsport.”
