“Proud, honoured & humbled,” Lewis Hamilton’s brother Nicholas Hamilton calls his day at the Mercedes F1 simulator as the ‘highlight of 2022’


“Proud, honoured & humbled,” Lewis Hamilton’s brother Nicholas Hamilton calls his day at the Mercedes F1 simulator as the ‘highlight of 2022’

Nicholas Hamilton spends a memorable day, trying out the Mercedes F1 sim

Nicholas Hamilton is the brother of the 7-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton. And just like his older brother, Nicholas is a fierce competitor, despite suffering from a condition of cerebral palsy, the 30-year-old has made his mark on the racing scene. The Brit has become a regular in the touring car arena, racing in the British Touring Car Championship with a specially-modified car to allow for the younger Hamilton to fight right alongside the other drivers on the track.

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Nicholas Hamilton recently made history after successfully having a go at the Mercedes Formula 1 simulator, making the Brit the first disabled person to drive an F1 sim. The 30-year-old shared his amazing experience on his Instagram and referred to it as the best day of the whole year, Nicholas wrote, “Highlight of 2022 – Living the day as a @mercedesamgf1 driver.” The Brit expressed his surprise when Lewis informed him about getting this opportunity and said, “When I got the call from Lewis where he told me that I would get the opportunity to drive the Sim, I was speechless.”

After getting the call up by the Silver Arrows, Nicholas visited the team’s headquarters in Brackley the following week, for a special seat fitting, where the team made the required adjustments to the sim to make it possible for the 30-year-old to have a go. Hamilton said, “I went to the factory in Brackley a week or so later & had a bespoke ‘seat fitting’ where the team modified the seat, steering wheel & pedals to cater for my condition.”

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Nicholas Hamilton’s lap times on the simulator managed to be competitive to even F1 standards

Lewis Hamilton shares his brother Nicholas's first drive on an F1 simulator
Lewis Hamilton supported his brother Nicholas’s first drive on an F1 simulator

It was only a few days after the seat-fitting that Nicholas Hamilton got in the simulator and made this stellar accomplishment. Despite his disability, the Brit managed to not only successfully drive on such an advanced sim but also gave in impressive lap times, truly showcasing his calibre in racing. Nicholas remarked, “I was not only just driving an F1 car with Cerebral Palsy, but setting competitive lap times in which is the ‘pinnacle’ of Motorsport.”

The 30-year-old had a brilliant outing and stated leaving the Mercedes base feeling, “proud, honoured & humbled.” Nicholas Hamilton further shared the lessons learnt during this event, where the Brit was able to understand his performance capabilities even after suffering from cerebral palsy, Nicholas exclaimed, “It made me realise that what I am able to do in a race car, with the limitations I have, is pretty incredible & finally I am able to tell myself that!”

Nicholas thanked his brother and the Mercedes team for giving him such an amazing opportunity, stating, “Thank you @lewishamilton & @mercedesamgf1, the day has had much more of an impact on me than you think.” Earlier Lewis Hamilton had reflected on his pride seeing his younger brother take to the F1 sim. As Nicholas Hamilton looks forward to his future endeavors in motorsport, this experience will help the 30-year-old in enhancing his drives in times to come.

This event is not only important for Nicholas, but for every single person suffering from disabilities, people who might have tough times trying to get success, this day was proof that it is possible to achieve our dreams even after being hampered by problems. The 30-year-old is an inspiration to millions just like his brother Lewis.

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