Nicolas Hamilton wants to 'inspire' others with disabilities as he prepares for new British Touring Car Championship season

The 32-year-old, who has a form of cerebral palsy, has released a book about overcoming adversity as he prepares to race against able-bodied drivers in his seventh season in the sport.

Thursday 11 April 2024 15:08, UK

Why you can trust Sky News

The brother of seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has said he wants to "inspire" other people who have disabilities as he prepares to race in the British Touring Car Championship again this year.

Nicolas Hamilton, who has a form of cerebral palsy, is the first-ever disabled athlete to compete in the motorsport series as he races against able-bodied drivers by using a specially adapted car.

The 32-year-old, who drives for Team HARD, is preparing for his seventh season in the championship which starts at Brands Hatch on 27 April.

Hamilton has spoken to the Sky News show Kay Burley at Breakfast on the day of the release of his first book, called Now That I Have Your Attention, which offers seven life lessons to help people defy their perceived limitations.

Asked how difficult it is to drive with his condition, which causes impaired muscle co-ordination, Hamilton said: "I can't flex my ankles. A lot of racing drivers flex their ankles to accelerate and brake.

"So I have a modification in the car, which is a hand clutch on the steering wheel, and then I have two pedals instead of three. So I have an accelerator and brake.

"And yeah, I just got to keep myself fit and train myself to be almost like an able-bodied driver."

Hamilton said he is essentially a Paralympian competing in an Olympic sport.

The driver said he had a "difficult upbringing" and was bullied as a child as he struggled to live as a disabled person in an "able-bodied world".

However, he added: "I overcame my condition by the time I was 15 and taught myself to walk again and got into motorsport.

"I used my purpose as a disabled person to try and inspire other people. That's what I want to try and do through this book."

Hamilton said he hopes the book will "get into the hands of people that need it" as others struggle to live with disabilities.

He continued: "I talk about all sorts of things in there... I want to use my voice to inspire others... I believe everybody has a powerful voice and obviously I have a platform that I want to use.

"So if I become a successful author through the book, that's great. And if it leads to more opportunities to share my voice and inspire people, that's what I want to do."

Hamilton also said he wants other people with cerebral palsy to know that they shouldn't be "ashamed" of the condition.

He continued: "You should lean into your vulnerability and be unique. Just because you have a condition and people put limitations on you doesn't mean that that is the end."

Is it annoying having a famous brother?

Hamilton also discussed his relationship with his brother Lewis - whose joint-record seven F1 world titles is matched only by Michael Schumacher.

Asked if it is annoying having a famous brother, he said: "It's not annoying, I'm Lewis' number one fan for sure... I'm definitely my own person. I have my own identity, I have my own story, and I'm not trying to compete against Lewis.

"My part in life is to try and use what I've gone through in my life to inspire other people."

Hamilton said that he and his brother don't like to talk about motorsport but enjoy playing the computer game Call of Duty together.

He added that they play on the same team so don't need to try and beat each other.

Hamilton also said that his brother is very supportive and was watching him when he secured his highest-ever race position with a sixth-place finish at Donington Park last year.

Asked about his brother's decision to leave Mercedes to race with Ferrari from next season, Hamilton said: "It's a great opportunity for him. I think it's a new chapter for him. And I'm 100% behind him like a lot of people are... He needs to do what's best for him.

"And as I said, I'm always going to be behind him regardless."

Nicolas Hamilton wants to 'inspire' others with disabilities as he prepares for new British Touring Car Championship season

More on Lewis Hamilton

Related Topics:

Related Topics