Hamilton brothers’ emotional full-circle moment sparks powerful Nicolas tribute
Almost two decades on from Lewis Hamilton pushing him in a wheelchair through the Barcelona paddock, Nicolas Hamilton is celebrating both Hamilton brothers racing on the same weekend. In a tale of two brothers, Lewis Hamilton (https://www.planetf1.com/driver/lewis-hamilton) was already a Formula 1 world champion before his younger brother, Nicolas, even made his racing debut. Hamilton: ‘2026 – We both prepare to get into our race cars!’
Nicolas, who has cerebral palsy, contested his first race in 2011, driving a specially-modified car for Total Control Racing in the UK’s Renault Clio Cup. While his brother went on to win seven F1 world championships, Nicolas embarked on a career on home soil in the Renault Clio Cup and the British Touring Car Championship. He’s contesting his eighth season in the British Touring Car Championship, racing for Team VERTU. He’s 19th in the championship after two rounds, with a best result of P11 in race two at Brands Hatch.
The BTCC schedule means both Hamilton brothers will be on track this weekend, with Nicolas racing at the Snetterton Circuit while Lewis will be in action for Ferrari at the Canadian Grand Prix. Posting a photograph of his older brother pushing him in a wheelchair at the Spanish Grand Prix, Nicolas wrote on Instagram: ‘2008 – Lewis, pushing me in my wheelchair at the Spanish Grand Prix. 2026 – We both prepare to get into our race cars! Maybe this was the path always set for Lewis, but it sure was not the path I was meant to follow & when I get into my car, I always think of Nic in his chair all those years ago & I’m so proud, it means more than you know. Whether I am last or first, that’s why I race… for Nic in his wheelchair, dreaming of racing, but struggling to walk. Now, this weekend, both Hamilton brothers are racing on the same weekend! Who would have thought it?’
Nicolas has previously reflected on the brothers’ different paths in life. Although he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age and faced challenges that made even walking difficult, he always wanted to be in motorsport. His bigger brother is seven years older than him, so he was just starting into motorsport as soon as he was born. He was at a racetrack from day one, sitting on his mum’s lap, watching go-karts go round, and he wanted to do that. He never had the opportunity, and at the same time, he was struggling just to walk. His opportunity did eventually come, the 34-year-old declaring: ‘Be proud of your disability whether you’re able to walk or not. Whatever limitations of movement you have, move with pride.’
If you take a step back and think about it, this highlights a deeper connection between disability and ambition. People often misunderstand the journey of someone with a disability as something they can’t overcome, but Hamilton showed that it’s about perseverance and embracing one’s unique strengths. This raises a question: What makes this particularly fascinating is how both brothers chose to pursue their passion despite their differences? From my perspective, this emphasizes the importance of resilience and the power of friendship in overcoming obstacles. A detail that I find especially interesting is how both Hamiltons have found ways to express their passion for motorsport, proving that creativity and determination can transcend physical limitations.
