Lewis Hamilton’s brother drops major news amid ‘biggest announcement’

The younger Hamilton brother, also a racing driver despite never enjoying the same spotlight as his sibling, and who competes in adapted machinery due to cerebral palsy, has announced that he will race this season in the Hyundai i30 Fastback N for Team VERTU, run by EXCELR8, the reigning champions.

He will be joined in the line-up by the reigning British Touring Car Championship drivers’ champion Tom Ingram, as well as Tom Chilton, brother of former Formula 1 driver Max Chilton.

Commenting on the news on his social media channels, Hamilton wrote: “The biggest announcement of my BTCC career, as I join the reigning champions, EXCELR8 driving the Draper Tools car! An opportunity to drive in one of the most competitive cars/teams on the grid; an opportunity I have worked 10 years for!

Eddie Irvine remains somewhat sceptical that Hamilton is truly back to his best, despite the podium he secured in China. The former Ferrari driver pointed out that the seven-time world champion struggled to replicate that performance in Suzuka, where he was consistently outpaced by his team-mate across the weekend.

Irvine noted that while Hamilton delivered a strong result in China - a track that has often suited him - his showing in Japan told a different story, with Leclerc getting the better of him throughout. As things stand, Hamilton now trails his team-mate by eight points in the drivers’ standings.