Nicolas Hamilton is Lewis Hamilton’s paternal half-brother, and is also a racing driver, competing in the British Touring Championships.
Born on March 28, 1992, Nicolas is the son of Lewis’ father Anthony, and stepmother Linda. Although he grew up around the racetrack, Nicolas never thought that he would be able to race in Formula 1 like his brother.
“I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to race,” Nicolas revealed to CNN.
What is Lewis Hamilton’s brother’s disability?
Nicolas was born with cerebral palsy, a disorder that obstructs movement. He struggled with the disease when he was young and was confined to a wheelchair until he was almost 17, but after undergoing several surgeries and consistently undergoing physiotherapy, he was able to walk unaided and race a car like his older brother.
Nicolas’ condition affects his balance and legs, meaning he is unable to use the conventional car pedals while driving. However, this hasn’t stopped him from trying. Nicolas drives a custom-built car that’s specially modified to allow him to drive, using a hand clutch that’s attached to the steering wheel to control the gears, in addition to steering.
The hand clutch works like the traditional foot pedal, only that he feels the ‘bite point’ with his hands, not his feet. The car’s brake and accelerator pedals are wide and positioned where Nic doesn’t have to fully extend his legs. The car seat is also specially moulded to fit his body.
With a special car, Nic is the only disabled driver currently racing in the British Touring Championships. He has been racing in the said competition since 2015 although he entered the Renault Clio Cup UK in 2017 and 2018. In 2013, he also raced for the European Touring Car Cup.
Nic has never won a race, but in 2020, he became the first disabled driver to earn points in the British Touring Championship.
The 2023 season has been a breakthrough for Hamilton as he has earned 10 points after a sixth-place finish at Donington Park in the second race of the year.
In 2019, Hamilton launched Team BRIT, the first race academy in the U.K. for disabled drivers. The academy aims to help disabled drivers who have a full U.K. driving license to get the needed training, coaching, or tuition.
“I would love to see disabled people be able to access circuits and access the industry,” says Hamilton. “Hopefully, through this academy, we can give people more opportunities, more happiness, more purpose.”