LEWIS HAMILTON’S brother has revealed he will get a kick out of proving his critics flawed, however admitted his relationship with the Formulation One legend doesn’t make issues straightforward.
Nicolas Hamilton, Lewis’ youthful half-brother by seven years, drives within the British Touring Automotive Championship (BTCC).
Nicolas Hamilton races in British Touring Automobiles
He’s Lewis Hamilton’s youthful half-brotherCredit score: Getty
He scored his best-ever end result within the sport again in April when he completed sixth at Donnington Park with seven-time F1 champion Lewis watching from the sidelines.
Nevertheless, Hamilton has by no means acquired any particular assist from his huge brother for his motorsport profession.
Certainly, he has revealed many trolls on-line have claimed he solely has a seat in BTCC due to his ties with the Mercedes driver.
Chatting with the Unbiased, he opened up on the struggles he has endured all through his profession and the way the net bullying he receives has impacted him.
He stated: “Lewis has by no means put a penny into my motorsport. There’s individuals who nonetheless don’t imagine me once I say that, however that’s actually the scenario.
“I’ve had numerous on-line trolling and bullying the place everybody says I’m solely in BTCC due to Lewis. A whole lot of the criticism is unjust – I don’t deserve it.”
“However to lastly shut the critics up on April twenty third was the most effective factor I might ever want for. It was a load of aid and numerous weight off my shoulders.
“If you’re slogging at it for therefore lengthy, you are feeling prefer it’s not going to come back. Each time you do one thing unfavorable, you are feeling such as you’re proving folks proper. So it was a telling day.”
Nicolas has admitted comparability’s with Lewis have been robust to takeCredit score: Instagram / @lewishamilton
He loved his finest ever BTCC end in AprilCredit score: Sutton Motor Sport Pictures
However it has been troublesome for Hamilton to remain out of the shadow of his brother.
He revealed: “Ever since I’ve began racing, it’s been exhausting as a result of folks evaluate me to Lewis and say I’m solely there as a result of he’s a multimillionaire.
“He’s nonetheless a large motive why I’m as sturdy as I’m and why I’m out of my wheelchair. I’m nonetheless his No 1 fan. Lewis and my dad [Anthony], he has been the anchor for the entire household.
“However it’s been actually exhausting being associated to Lewis and attempting to carve my very own profession in motorsport.”
Hamilton suffers from the situation Cerebral Palsy, which impacts his motion, notably the way in which he walks. However he has not let that cease him from racing.
In actual fact, he mirrored on a life-changing second when he stood up from his wheelchair and by no means sat again down.
The 31-year-old stated: “I used to be 16 in my wheelchair and went to a check-in desk at an airport to go and watch Lewis at an F1 race.
“This woman didn’t ask me any questions. She simply requested my mum whether or not I wanted help or assist.
Lewis has by no means put a penny into my motorsport. There’s individuals who nonetheless don’t imagine me once I say that, however that’s actually the scenario.
Nicolas Hamilton
“I had all of the hormones of a teen eager to be a person. I used to be rising a beard. I wished to speak to ladies and go to the pub.
“However I’d change into lazy and I used to be in a wheelchair as a result of it was simpler for me. It was exhausting work to stroll round.
“Ready-bodied folks weren’t me in the way in which I wished to be perceived. That was once I obtained out of my wheelchair. And I haven’t been again in for 15 years.”
Hamilton now makes use of his platform to encourage an array of individuals, even giving a speech at Microsoft the day earlier than his Unbiased interview, and is now a speaker at 9 completely different UK speaker businesses.
He added: “I’ve at all times needed to discover one thing that makes me completely different, my USP.
“Every single day I study one thing new about my situation after which I discuss to folks – I’ve at all times been very open on psychological well being.
“Now I stand in entrance of 1000’s to inform them my story and to encourage all kinds of individuals – disabled, folks of color, dad and mom of disabled kids.
“It’s snowballed since 2020. No matter whether or not I’m a Hamilton or not, I’ve ended up making a story and a model which could be very sturdy for folks worldwide to narrate to.
“I need to proceed spreading my voice – not round being Lewis Hamilton’s brother however round making a legacy to assist disabled folks and folks in a darkish place.
“I’ve been in darkish locations and I need to showcase that that’s completely OK. Society will settle for you when you settle for your self.”
Hamilton completed twenty fourth within the season’s BTCC standings after gathering 10 factors over the season.
Hamilton stated Lewis was one of many primary the reason why he’s as sturdy as he’sCredit score: Twitter @LewisHamilton
Hamilton suffers with Cerebral PalsyCredit score: Instagram / @lewishamilton