Nicolas Hamilton Keynote Speaker

Nicolas Hamilton was only 18 months old when his parents were told that he would never walk and that his extremely poor eyesight would deteriorate as he got older. However, Nicolas’s determination proved the doctors wrong.

After years of hard work and dedication in overcoming his condition—progressing from being wheelchair-bound to walking unaided by the age of 17—Nicolas’s parents agreed to his request to race. In 2011, he was given the opportunity to compete in the highly competitive Renault Clio Cup series.

This was truly a baptism of fire, as it marked his first attempt at motorsport with no previous experience. However, Nicolas faced these challenges with the same dedication and determination that his disability presented to him daily. He proved himself against a field of able-bodied drivers and showed the motorsport world that through hard work, a disabled driver could be just as competitive.

In 2015, Nicolas made history by becoming the first disabled athlete to compete in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), inspiring both disabled and able-bodied individuals worldwide to push themselves regardless of their circumstances. In 2019, he returned to the BTCC racing with Motorbase Performance, continuing his inspiring journey in motorsport.

In February 2020, Nicolas was confirmed as the fourth Team HARD driver in a Volkswagen CC. During Round 2 of the championship at Brands Hatch, he achieved a significant milestone by scoring his first ever BTCC points—a remarkable journey from being wheelchair-bound to becoming a BTCC points finisher.

In 2023, Nicolas reached new heights in Round 1 of the Championship at Donington Park, finishing P6—his career-best finish. This achievement not only broke his personal record but further raised the bar for disability representation in the premier level of British motorsport.

From wheelchair user to motorsport history maker and record breaker, Nicolas has thoroughly disproven what was once thought impossible.