Hamilton sends heartfelt tribute to brother Nicolas after BTCC podium finish

Last month, Nicolas Hamilton, who competes in adapted machinery due to cerebral palsy, announced that he would race in this season’s British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) aboard the Hyundai i30 Fastback N for Team VERTU, run by reigning champions EXCELR8, finally giving him a competitive package capable of fighting further up the grid on paper.

So far, those expectations have very much been met, with Hamilton achieving a major milestone in his career by securing his first BTCC podium as well as victory in the Jack Sears Trophy classification. The result marked the fulfilment of a long-standing personal ambition for the Brit, who described the experience of climbing the podium steps and lifting a trophy in front of the crowd as an emotional moment that exceeded everything he had imagined growing up.

“From a boy in his wheelchair, told he may never walk, to walking onto the podium in the BTCC. I have worked my whole life for this moment. Eighteen years on from deciding to get out of my wheelchair and pursue my dream of becoming a racing driver, this moment means more than I could ever explain. Thank you to absolutely everyone who has been part of my journey - my sponsors, my team, my family, friends and even my doubters. You have all got me to this point and I am forever grateful. This is your trophy too.”

The seven-time world champion, himself coming off a strong weekend in Canada that ended with his second podium finish for Ferrari, also paid tribute to his brother through a lengthy post on Instagram, sharing a series of photos capturing Nicolas’ emotional moment on the BTCC podium.

Hamilton admitted he could not have been prouder of his brother, describing the emotion on Nicolas’ face during his first podium celebration as a special and deeply moving moment. The Ferrari driver also highlighted how meaningful it was for both of them to stand on the podium on the very same day, revealing that he immediately called Nicolas once the race had finished.

“I could not be more proud of my brother. Seeing the passion and emotion on his face as he stood on his first podium was such a beautiful moment. For us both to be on podiums on the same day was huge. I called him the second the race ended.”

The Brit then reflected on the wider challenges faced by disabled drivers in motorsport, stressing how inaccessible the sport still is and how little support exists to create equal opportunities. Despite years of obstacles, doubts and people telling him it could not be done, Hamilton praised his brother for continuing to fight, adapt and ultimately prove everyone wrong.