How a driver with cerebral palsy redefined the limits of professional touring car racing

Health · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Nicolas Hamilton, brother of seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, has carved a unique path in motorsport. Born with cerebral palsy, he competes using a specially modified vehicle. His journey from a debut in the Renault Clio Cup to becoming the first disabled driver in the British Touring Car Championship is remarkable.

Born on 28 March 1992, Nicolas Hamilton entered the world of professional racing in 2011, debuting in the Renault Clio Cup United Kingdom with Total Control Racing. Despite finishing last in his inaugural race, he garnered significant media attention, which was captured in the BBC documentary Racing with the Hamiltons: Nic in the Driving Seat. His early career saw him navigating various series, including the ERDF Masters Kart and the European Touring Car Cup, where he secured a tenth-place standing in 2013.

A major milestone occurred in 2015 when Hamilton signed with AmD Tuning to race an Audi S3 in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). This achievement marked him as the first disabled driver to compete in the series. His adaptation to the sport requires a specially-modified car to accommodate the physical challenges posed by his cerebral palsy. Over the following years, he navigated team changes and varying levels of success, including a notable 15th-place finish at Brands Hatch in 2020, which earned him his first BTCC point.

Hamilton's career trajectory continued to evolve through the 2020s. In 2023, he achieved his most successful season to date, finishing sixth in a race at Donington Park before his team collapsed mid-season. By 2026, he had joined the reigning champions, Team VERTU, driving a Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance alongside teammates Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton, and Ricky Collard. That same year, he received the Jack Sears Trophy for his performance at the Snetterton round, further cementing his place in the history of the sport.

Beyond the cockpit, Hamilton has expanded his influence within the industry, joining Channel 4's Formula One presentation team in 2016. His career serves as a testament to persistence in a high-stakes, physically demanding environment. By consistently securing seats in competitive championships and adapting his machinery to his needs, Hamilton has demonstrated that physical disability does not preclude participation at the highest levels of professional touring car racing.

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