Words by Shayni Solanki
An icon in the making, Nicolas Hamilton is breaking boundaries and redefining what it means to be a race car driver.
Brother to Lewis, racing runs deep in Nicolas Hamilton’s genes. Born prematurely with cerebral palsy, initially wheelchair-bound, and told he would never walk, life changed for Hamilton at age 17: “I found my passion and determination to get out of the wheelchair and prove people wrong through motorsport”. After years of intensive training, he overcame the obstacles and challenges thrown at him and can now walk unaided.
Pushing himself to walk completely unaided is a feat in itself, but it is even more inspirational that he took this challenge further. Hamilton says his love for motorsport started early. He describes being around motorsport all the time, having keenly followed his brother’s career. Because of his cerebral palsy, he thought he would never have the chance to drive a real race car. Little did he know, one day he would be breaking motorsporting records.
Hamilton made history when he became the first-ever disabled driver to score points in the British Touring Car Championship. Hamilton drives a specially-modified car that minimises the use of his legs while driving. A hand clutch is featured on the wheel with only 2 brake pedals also positioned closer to the seat than the standard race car: a huge step for disabled athletes, showing that modifications absolutely can be made.
Hamilton is now coming up on his 5th BTCC season, taking to Instagram to share that he raised all of his own funding to compete this season: a commendable feat. Not just fighting for his own place in the sport, Hamilton has also been very vocal about disability awareness in sports, advocating for the importance of having disabled drivers on the grid. He hopes that able-bodied people will one day understand what it takes for disabled athletes to get into motorsport. As well as this, he hopes that disabled drivers won’t have to work as excruciatingly hard to achieve what he has.
Nicolas Hamilton redefines what it means to be a racing-car driver. It’s not just what you see on the Formula 1 grid, it’s about passion and commitment to motorsport. In a sport where able-bodied drivers are able to buy an F1 seat, Hamilton’s climb to the top is nothing short of inspirational. Already, we have seen Hamilton break boundaries and records, foreshadowing his near-certain future as a motorsport champion.