Lewis Hamilton Pays Emotional Tribute to Brother Nicolas After Historic BTCC… read more 👇 full details in the comments section
While was celebrating yet another Formula One podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, his younger brother was making history of his own thousands of miles away in England.
The weekend became a memorable one for the Hamilton family as Nicolas achieved one of the biggest milestones of his racing career at Snetterton in Norfolk during a British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) event. The 34-year-old racer claimed the prestigious Jack Sears Trophy, an award presented to the best-performing driver across the race weekend who has never previously finished on a BTCC podium.
For Nicolas, the achievement represented far more than just another trophy. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a child, he has spent years overcoming physical and professional barriers in a sport that has often struggled with accessibility and inclusion. His success at Snetterton was therefore both a personal triumph and an inspirational moment for motorsport.
Driving a specially adapted car for Team VERTU, Nicolas delivered one of his strongest performances in the championship to date. He secured finishes of 17th in the opening race before improving further with 16th-place finishes in races two and three. Those consistent results earned him the Jack Sears Trophy and the opportunity to stand proudly on the podium.
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One world champion, quickly took to social media to praise his brother’s determination and resilience. The Ferrari driver admitted the moment carried deep emotional significance for him, especially as both brothers celebrated podium appearances on the same day.
Lewis described seeing Nicolas on the podium as a beautiful and emotional experience. He explained that he immediately phoned his brother after his own race finished because of how proud he felt watching him finally achieve a dream he had worked toward for years.
The F1 star also used the opportunity to highlight the lack of inclusivity within motorsport. Lewis pointed out that racing remains difficult to access for people living with disabilities, with limited support systems and infrastructure available to help level the playing field. Despite those challenges, he praised Nicolas for refusing to quit even when many people doubted what he could accomplish.
According to Lewis, his younger brother continually adapted, fought through setbacks, and proved critics wrong through persistence and determination. He added that although Nicolas will always be his “kid brother,” he now sees him as an inspirational athlete and leader whose story motivates countless people around the world.
The emotional tribute reflected the close relationship between the brothers, who have supported each other since childhood. In earlier years, Lewis was often seen helping Nicolas around Formula One paddocks in his wheelchair as they both dreamed about careers in motorsport.
Nicolas’ path into racing has been anything but easy. Despite doctors warning during his childhood that he might never walk independently, he refused to give up on his ambitions. He eventually decided he wanted to become a racing driver and began working tirelessly toward that goal.
His competitive racing journey officially started in 2011 when he entered the Renault Clio Cup at just 19 years old. Around the same time, he also competed in the ERDF Masters Kart series. His early struggles and determination were captured in the BBC documentary Racing with the Hamiltons: Nic in the Driving Seat, which introduced many fans to his remarkable story.
By 2013, Nicolas had progressed into the European Touring Car Cup, demonstrating that he belonged in high-level competition. Two years later, he made history by becoming the first disabled driver to compete in the BTCC.
Although he initially struggled to establish himself consistently in the series, Nicolas became a regular BTCC competitor from 2019 onward. One of his standout moments came at Donington Park in 2023, where he achieved a career-best sixth-place finish in race two.
However, his career also faced major uncertainty. During the 2023 season, his team, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown, collapsed midway through the campaign, leaving him without a drive for the following year. Many drivers may have walked away from the sport after such a setback, but Nicolas remained determined to continue racing.
His perseverance paid off when he secured a seat for the 2025 season with Powder Monkey Brewing Co with Esidock before later joining Team VERTU.
After winning the Jack Sears Trophy, Nicolas shared an emotional message reflecting on how much the achievement meant to him personally. He described finally standing on a BTCC podium as the realization of a lifelong dream. More than anything, he said he had always wanted to know what it felt like to walk up those podium stairs and lift a trophy into the air.
For Nicolas, the moment symbolized years of sacrifice and determination. He reflected on the incredible journey from being a young boy in a wheelchair to standing proudly on a BTCC podium in front of fans and fellow competitors.
He also thanked everyone who had supported him throughout his career, including sponsors, teammates, family members, friends, and even doubters who motivated him to keep pushing forward.
Nicolas Hamilton’s achievement was not just a racing success — it became a powerful reminder that determination, resilience, and belief can overcome even the toughest obstacles.