LEWIS HAMILTON’S brother has revealed he gets a kick out of proving his critics wrong, but admitted his relationship with the Formula One legend doesn’t make things easy.
Nicolas Hamilton, Lewis’ younger half-brother by seven years, drives in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
He scored his best-ever result in the sport back in April when he finished sixth at Donnington Park with seven-time F1 champion Lewis watching from the sidelines.
However, Hamilton has never received any special help from his big brother for his motorsport career.
Indeed, he has revealed many trolls online have claimed he only has a seat in BTCC because of his ties with the Mercedes driver.
Speaking to the Independent, he opened up on the struggles he has endured throughout his career and how the online bullying he receives has impacted him.
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He said: “Lewis has never put a penny into my motorsport. There’s people who still don’t believe me when I say that, but that is literally the situation.
“I’ve had a lot of online trolling and bullying where everyone says I’m only in BTCC because of Lewis. A lot of the criticism is unjust – I don’t deserve it.”
“But to finally shut the critics up on April 23rd was the best thing I could ever wish for. It was a load of relief and a lot of weight off my shoulders.
“When you’re slogging at it for so long, you feel like it’s not going to come. Every time you do something negative, you feel like you’re proving people right. So it was a telling day.”
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But it has been difficult for Hamilton to stay out of the shadow of his brother.
He revealed: “Ever since I’ve started racing, it’s been hard because people compare me to Lewis and say I’m only there because he’s a multimillionaire.
“He’s still a massive reason why I’m as strong as I am and why I’m out of my wheelchair. I’m still his No 1 fan. Lewis and my dad [Anthony], he has been the anchor for the whole family.
“But it’s been really hard being related to Lewis and trying to carve my own career in motorsport.”
Hamilton suffers from the condition Cerebral Palsy, which impacts his movement, particularly the way he walks. But he has not let that stop him from racing.
In fact, he reflected on a life-changing moment when he stood up from his wheelchair and never sat back down.
The 31-year-old said: “I was 16 in my wheelchair and went to a check-in desk at an airport to go and watch Lewis at an F1 race.
“This lady did not ask me any questions. She just asked my mum whether I needed assistance or help.
Lewis has never put a penny into my motorsport. There’s people who still don’t believe me when I say that, but that is literally the situation.
Nicolas Hamilton
“I had all the hormones of a teenager wanting to be a man. I was growing a beard. I wanted to talk to girls and go to the pub.
“But I’d become lazy and I was in a wheelchair because it was easier for me. It was hard work to walk around.
“Able-bodied people weren’t looking at me in the way I wanted to be perceived. That was when I got out of my wheelchair. And I haven’t been back in for 15 years.”
Hamilton now uses his platform to inspire an array of people, even giving a speech at Microsoft the day before his Independent interview, and is now a speaker at nine different UK speaker agencies.
He added: “I’ve always had to find something that makes me different, my USP.
“Every day I learn something new about my condition and then I talk to people – I’ve always been very open on mental health.
“Now I stand in front of thousands to tell them my story and to inspire all sorts of people – disabled, people of colour, parents of disabled children.
“It’s snowballed since 2020. Regardless of whether I’m a Hamilton or not, I’ve ended up creating a story and a brand which is very strong for people worldwide to relate to.
“I want to continue spreading my voice – not around being Lewis Hamilton’s brother but around creating a legacy to help disabled people and people in a dark place.
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“I’ve been in dark places and I want to showcase that that is absolutely OK. Society will accept you if you accept yourself.”
Hamilton finished 24th in the season’s BTCC standings after collecting 10 points over the season.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
