Nicolas Hamilton, Lewis's brother, secures seat with reigning BTCC champions for 2026
Nicolas Hamilton, Lewis Hamilton's brother and a racer with cerebral palsy, has landed a drive with the reigning BTCC champions EXCELR8 for 2026. This move, which he calls the biggest of his career, caps a ten-year pursuit and significantly elevates his platform for representing disability in top-level motorsport.
Nicolas Hamilton, brother of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, has secured a major career move by joining the reigning British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) champions for the 2026 season. He will drive a Hyundai i30 Fastback N for Team VERTU, run by the title-winning EXCELR8 squad, marking a significant step forward in his decade-long pursuit of a top-tier drive in the series.
Why it matters:
This move represents a landmark achievement for Nicolas, who has cerebral palsy and races in adapted machinery, in his quest to compete at the highest level of British motorsport. Joining the reigning champions provides him with a proven, competitive package, offering his clearest path yet to success and amplifying his platform for representing disability in professional racing.
The details:
- Championship Team: Nicolas will race for EXCELR8, the team that won the 2025 BTCC drivers' and teams' championships.
- Strong Line-up: He joins a formidable driver pairing, teaming up with the reigning BTCC champion Tom Ingram and experienced racer Tom Chilton.
- A Decade in the Making: In his announcement, Nicolas emphasized this opportunity is the result of "10 years" of work, calling it the "biggest announcement of my BTCC career."
- Mission-Driven: He explicitly thanked partners for supporting his passion for "representing disability in the pinnacle of British motorsport," highlighting the broader significance of his role beyond just racing results.
What's next:
The pressure and expectations will be high as Nicolas integrates into a championship-winning environment. His performance in one of the grid's best cars will be closely watched, not only for his personal results but also for the continued impact of his advocacy. The 2026 BTCC season becomes a crucial chapter in his career, testing his skills against the series' best while carrying his representative mission forward.