Lewis Hamilton has paid an emotional tribute to brother Nicolas after seeing him stand on a podium for the first time in his motorsport career.
Whilst seven-time F1 champion Lewis secured his best result since joining Ferrari at the start of last season with second place in the Canadian Grand Prix, Nicolas captured the Jack Sears Trophy at Snetterton in the British Touring Car Championship.
Driving for EXCELR8 Motorsports in a Hyundai, Hamilton delivered strong performances and an overall points haul from the three races that allowed to collect the prestigious trophy, and the honour of standing on the podium for the first time.
Via an Instagram post, Lewis wrote: “I could not be more proud of my brother @nicolashamilton. Seeing the passion and emotion on his face as he stood on his first podium was such a beautiful moment. For us both to be on podiums on the same day was major. I called him the second the race ended.
“Motorsport is not built to be inclusive. There is little to no access for people with disabilities, and no support systems to level the playing field. This is something so many take for granted. Despite that, despite the barriers and the people who told him it wasn’t possible, he never stopped. He fought. He adapted. He proved them wrong.
“While he will always be my kid brother, I am profoundly proud of the leader, the athlete, and the man he has become. He inspires me just as much as he inspires everyone watching his journey. No matter how hard it has been he has never given up. What he’s achieved is massive and I’m so happy for him. Love you bro, keep going.”
Nicolas Hamilton silences doubters
Nicolas naturally wept with tears of joy as he collected his first piece of silverware.
“I honestly cannot believe what has happened as I never expected to walk away from Snetterton as winner of the Jack Sears Trophy,” said Hamilton. “My whole focus was on developing and improving myself, and to end the weekend up on the podium was the most amazing experience.
“Thanks to the team and the car, but also through hard work from myself, I’ve been quicker here this weekend than ever before and I’m so proud of how I have driven.
“I’ve always said that I wanted to win a trophy, but I didn’t want to just be gifted it, and this weekend I feel like I earned it and deserved it.
“I’m not going to, but I could happily hang my boots, gloves and helmet up after this weekend knowing that I have achieved the dream of a little boy who was told he would never walk.
“The amount of support from the BTCC paddock and from the whole community around the championship has been incredible and it was truly a surreal moment to be there on the podium seeing everyone cheering.
“This is for everyone who has stuck by me and supported me, and even those who have doubted me as it has only fuelled my desire to reach my goal. For all those in the disabled community, hopefully this will provide further inspiration of what is possible.”
The BTCC also acknowledged Hamilton’s feat.
“A huge reward for the tireless work, effort and spirit he has shown over the years,” it wrote on social media. “The man leaving Snetterton with Silverware was joined on the podium by three BTCC champions, who between them held nine titles.
“It truly was one of the greatest BTCC moments in recent history.”
