Lewis Hamilton has been one of the biggest stars of motorsport for quite a while now. The seven-time F1 champion, who recently revealed his shocking post-retirement plans, is blessed with a fortune; however, he recently amassed a lot of criticism for not helping out a member of his own family despite his financial situation.
And that person is none other than Lewis’s half-brother, Nicolas Hamilton. Nicolas, despite being a disabled individual, has managed to make himself known and seen through his famous speech at Microsoft.
Nicolas Hamilton discloses Lewis’ secret
Nicolas Hamilton has suffered from cerebral palsy since he was 16 years old. Being the half-brother of the famous British driver Lewis Hamilton, Nicolas expected some financial aid from his brother, but that too was soon crushed into pieces. He then decided chase success with his capabilities and willingness to be a phenomenal driver
Nicolas told the Independent that “Lewis has never put a penny into my motorsport.”
He reflected on the day, back when he sat on the wheelchair but never stood up again. “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,” he said. “She just asked my mum whether I needed assistance or help. 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.”
Yet, despite the lackings, the 31-year-old gave a speech about his life experience, which shocked and inspired many young individuals sitting there.
“There are people who still don’t believe me when I say that, but that is 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 23 April was the best thing I could ever wish for. It was a load of relief and a lot of weight off my shoulders.”
He then explains that all of these achievements were not due to Lewis, but solely by himself.
“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 career in motorsport.”
At 19, for the first time, he entered a race known as the Clio Club after driving a BMW M3 for the first time.
FIA revisiting Hamilton’s Qatar GP incident
Soon after Lewis’s suspension at the Qatar GP, the FIA started re-examining all the conditions all over again. Lewis recently, crashed with his former teammate too questioning the duo’s relationship.
An FIA spokesman said, “The FIA notes that Lewis was apologetic during the subsequent stewards hearing into the incident and acknowledged that the crossing was a serious safety breach.”
“However, because of his role model status, the FIA is concerned about the impression his actions may have created on younger drivers.”
Do you think revisiting Lewis Hamilton’s incident by the FIA was the wrong decision? Do let us know in the comment section below.
