Nicolas Hamilton

Biography

In a notoriously competitive and tough sport, Nicolas Hamilton has established himself as a potential champion. An achievement in any context, but even more so for someone told as a child he would never walk.

Born with a form of cerebral palsy which affects the movement of his leg muscles, Nicolas was initially a wheelchair user. He endured years of gruelling, painful training so that by the age of seventeen he could walk completely unaided. A huge achievement, but this was just the first part of his unwavering determination to become a racing driver.

Not one to be told what he can and can’t do because of his condition, Nicolas won a seat in the competitive Renault Clio Cup, the entry level to touring car competition and the gateway to motorsport for many future successful drivers. After a high-profile first season (partly due to his disability, partly due to his brother being Lewis Hamilton), Nicolas moved to the European Touring Car Cup. Sponsorship and financial issues in this most money-dependent of sports enforced a season’s break on him, but he returned to the track within a couple of years becoming the first disabled driver to compete in the British Touring Car Championship. 

As well as racing Nicolas is focused on sharing his inspirational story and his belief that your ambition is limited only by your attitude. Delivered in his genuine, down-to-earth, friendly manner, he recounts his personal story of motivation, facing down challenges, and overcoming adversity, as well the lessons in teamwork that his sport has instilled. He’s also been the subject of a BBC documentary and is a part of Channel 4’s Formula One coverage team.