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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).
Nicolas Hamilton races in British Touring Cars
He is Lewis Hamilton’s younger half-brotherCredit: Getty
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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Nicolas has admitted comparison’s with Lewis have been tough to takeCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
He enjoyed his best ever BTCC finish in AprilCredit: Sutton Motor Sport Images
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 HamiltonIndependent
“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.
Hamilton said Lewis was one of the main reasons why he is as strong as he isCredit: Twitter @LewisHamilton
Hamilton suffers with Cerebral PalsyCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
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IT was a weekend of controversy for Formula One amid the fallout from the Qatar Grand Prix.An alarming number of safety concerns were raised following last weekend’s race after drivers visibly struggled to cope with the 44-degree heat of the Middle East.
Sergio Perez was not a fan of an abrupt rule change by the FIA at the Qatar GPCredit: Getty
But Lewis Hamilton insisted the change should be implemented at other tracksCredit: Rex
Runner-up Oscar Piastri was seen laying on the floor after the race, Lance Stroll took himself to the medical centre fearing dehydration, Esteban Ocon threw up in his helmet mid-race while Logan Sargeant was forced to retire his car citing illness.
While the FIA said they would be opening an investigation into the safety concerns, there was another matter which had some drivers fuming BEFORE the Grand Prix had even begun.
F1 was forced to implement a mandatory 18-lap stint limit owing to blowout concerns from Pirelli – who were today announced as the sport’s tyre supplier until 2027.
But the FIA took more tangible precautions before Saturday’s sprint race by bringing the kerbs around the track further in to try and avoid tyre failure.
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The introduction of the limits resulted in multiple laps being deleted, notably for McLaren duo Piastri and Lando Norris which elevated Lewis Hamilton up to P3 for the race.
Red Bull star Sergio Perez was not a fan of the new track limits, telling Sky Sports Italia: “These rules are absurd. I know the rules were the same for everyone, and it’s my fault if I got a penalty.
“I still think the FIA should look at the circuit before they let us race here. Changing the rules at the last minute won’t make it any better.”
Yuki Tsunoda shared this perception on the new kerbs, claiming the circuit was now a “floor destroyer track” as a result of the new kerbs, which switched to a pyramid shape.
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However, Hamilton – who crashed out of Sunday’s race after a collision with Mercedes team-mate George Russell – did not share his rivals point of view.
He declared: “I think these new kerbs are great.
“When I went round the track yesterday on the scooter, I thought the kerbs looked quite big.
“But I think they’re actually really good. When you go beyond the highest point of the kerb you lose time, so I don’t feel like at this track we need to have track limits.”
He explained Norris’ qualifying penalty for exceeding track limits was harsh because of the new kerbs.
Hamilton added: “I think we can take these kerbs as a good learning. We can take these kerbs to a bunch of other tracks.”
After crashing out of the race, Hamilton was also slapped with a £43,000 (€50,000) fine for breaking F1 rules by walking across track to get back to the paddock.
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LEWIS HAMILTON was fined a whopping €50,000 for walking across the race track following his first lap shunt with George Russell.Half will be suspended, so long as he does not make the same mistake between now and the end of the year.
Lewis Hamilton has been fined for walking across the track during the Qatar GPCredit: Getty
The Mercedes star crashed out on the first lap after colliding with George RussellCredit: Getty
It means that €25,000 of the total fine, which was worth about £43,000, will be heading to the FIA coffers.
Speaking of the FIA, their lavish end of year gala is still due to be held in Baku, despite growing political tensions with Azerbaijan’s neighbours, Armenia.
Hamilton crashed out of Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix after colliding with Mercedes team-mate Russell at turn one.
He was forced to retire from the race on the opening lap, while Russell went on to finish fourth despite suffering damage to his car.
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After the race, the seven-time world champion took full responsibility for the incident.
He told Sky Sports: “I think we are a great team. George and I still have a great relationship. We will discuss things and work away.
“I’m happy to take responsibility as the older guy. I don’t think George had anywhere to go at that point.
“I was trying to get ahead of both of them and just an unfortunate situation. I had the worst tyre of everyone around me, so I needed to try and get ahead. Big risk, big penalty.”
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He later tweeted: “I’ve watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility. Apologies to my team and to George.”
Max Verstappen went on to win the race, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris taking the other two spots on the podium. More

LEWIS HAMILTON has issued a grovelling apology after crashing into team-mate George Russell at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix. The F1 ace, 38, was attempting to skirt around the outside of Russell at turn one of the opening lap after a better getaway off the line.
Lewis Hamilton apologised for his collision with George RussellCredit: Rex
Hamilton had tried to get around Russell but ended up spinning both of them off the trackCredit: Getty
Hamilton’s rear tyre flew off and his race was finished after just one turnCredit: Rex
However, Russell was sandwiched between Hamilton on his left and eventual race winner Max Verstappen on his right.
As Hamilton swung his car into the corner he failed to leave adequate room for both to make the turn, causing both to spin off after Russell tagged Hamilton’s right rear tyre.
The crash saw the seven-time champion’s race finished then and there as his tyre flew off, while Russell managed to get his car back into the race and finish a respectable P4.
Following the race, Hamilton took to social media to apologise to both his Mercedes team and team-mate.
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He said: “I’ve watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility. Apologies to my team and to George.”
A visibly frustrated Hamilton later added: “Yeah, obviously gutting and massive apology to everyone back at the factory.
“It was probably just a racing incident but I take full responsibility. I don’t think George had anywhere to go.”
Asked if he would do anything different after his strong initial getaway, he replied: “It’s always in hindsight you do things differently.”
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Despite the loss of a potential double podium given the Mercedes’ pace over the weekend, Russell shared a video of himself and Hamilton hugging it out after the race.
He captioned his post: “No hard feelings. We’re here to fight and maximise for the team.
“We misjudged it today, but our car was exceptionally strong and I’m proud of the whole team. Time to regroup and continue building off the strong pace in Austin.”
The Qatar race saw a number of drivers feeling under the weather due to the 44-plus degrees Celsius heat at the Losail Circuit in Doha.
Alpine star Esteban Ocon vomited in his helmet MID-RACE, while Williams pair Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant both needed help climbing from their cars.
Lance Stroll also took himself to an ambulance following the race fearing dehydration.
Verstappen wrapped up the driver’s title – his third in a row – in Saturday’s sprint race.
Hamilton is still in the running for P2 in the driver’s table, with 30 points the difference between himself and Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.
F1 heads to Texas, United States, for its next race in two weeks’ time.
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LEWIS HAMILTON looked stylish as he arrived for today’s F1 race in Qatar.The seven-time world champion wore a bold outfit as he made his way to the pit lane and embraced the desert heat.
Lewis Hamilton opted for a bold look to finish off ‘LHFW’Credit: Getty
His sweater vest with a hole in the middle divided fansCredit: Getty
The British driver wore a light blue sweater vest paired with white trousers as he strolled down the pit lane.
The vest had a whole sewn into it to show off Hamilton’s tattoo on his chest.
He topped off the outfit with a pair of green sunglasses and what appeared to be a pair of Air Jordan’s.
A Twiter user posted an image of Hamilton’s outfit and said: “What a fit to end LHFW in Qatar. Will Sir Lewis Hamilton make his way onto the podium today?”
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LHFW refers to Hamilton’s self-proclaimed ‘Lewis Hamilton Fashion Week’ which has saw him push the boundaries with his grid outfits.
Some fans were divided over Hamilton’s outfit however, with one saying: “A pity that there was not enough wool left to finish the top!”
Another wrote: “Without the hole, that top is fire!”
And a third chimed in with: “He has a hole in his top.”
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Hamilton will start third on the grid in Qatar behind Max Verstappen in first and team-mate George Russell in second.
The two Mercedes’ are expected to give the champion a difficult time, particularly Hamilton who starts to the left of Verstappen on the grid.
Yesterday’s sprint race showed cars on the left of the grid had a significant advantage in getting a good launch at the start. More

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON is keeping schtum about the “top secret” upgrade to his Mercedes.The seven-time F1 champion will bid to pick up his and Mercedes’ first win of the season at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday.
Sir Lewis Hamilton has been left frustrated by the performance of his Mercedes this yearCredit: Getty
Mercedes have made improvements to the car but Hamilton is refusing to spill the beansCredit: AFP
Mercedes have made changes to their struggling car during the recent break following last month’s Japanese Grand Prix in a desperate bid to get a first-place finish.
Hamilton recently visited the’ Brackley factory to see the fruits of the team’s labour but is keeping the details close to his chest.
The Stevenage speedster told Sky Sports: “I can’t tell you, man, I can’t tell you. It’s all top-secret stuff.”
When pressed further, the 38-year-old said: “From my experience in all these years, firstly [I’m] not an aerodynamicist.
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“And you go into the wind tunnel and it’s always mega exciting.
“No matter what point of the year you go in there’s always new bits coming, there’s bits in the bucket and you know there’s just stuff being tried all the time.”
Hamilton was left disappointed with his car’s performance at Suzuka, where he finished in a disappointing fifth place.
But he’s been thrilled by the effort the entire team has put in to try to rectify the issues plaguing his suped-up motor.
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Sir Lewis Hamilton is currently third in the Drivers StandingsCredit: REX
He said: “Everyone is unhappy with where we are and where we’ve been for the last couple of years.
“I know they’re hungry. And that for me, ‘I’m like OK I know these guys.
“‘I know they’re chasing and they’re doing absolutely everything they can.’
“So I’m able to then bring that into the weekend.”
Hamilton currently sits in third place in the drivers’ standings behind Sergio Perez and defending champion Max Verstappen thanks to five podium finishes so far this season. More