Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has given his younger brother a unique gift: a day in Mercedes’ F1 simulator. The Mercedes mechanics have done a lot of work for this because Lewis Hamilton’s seven-year-hungry brother has a disability.
In 1992, Nicolas was born two months prematurely and developed cerebral palsy, a movement disorder resulting from brain damage. Nicolas has a lot of trouble with many day-to-day activities, but that doesn’t stop him from being active in motorsport.
However, Nicolas’s big dream has always been to experience what it is like to drive an F1 car and his big brother has now tried to realize that as best as possible. Not by having it tested in a real F1 car, but in what comes closest: the Mercedes F1 simulator.
A seven-time world champion and Mercedes driver, Lewis approached his team and asked if it would be possible to have his brother tested in the F1 simulator. The mechanics then set to work to enable the test in the simulator. Given Nicolas’s limitation, several adjustments had to be made to the simulator, but last Monday the time had come.
“Earlier this year, Nicolas and I asked the team if it was possible and it worked,” said Hamilton.
“The time in the simulator is very limited and not something that is normally possible for someone like my brother. It required adjustments to the seat, steering wheel and pedals to make it happen.”
“He spent a full day in the simulator, so he’s the first person with a disability to do this. He’s always been a fighter and it’s an honor to see him do this. The smile on his face has never left. I want to thank Mercedes for the time and work that has gone into making this possible and fulfilling my brother’s dream.”
It was a pleasure @nicolashamilton
Thank you to our team who modified the seat, wheel and pedals so that Nic could race comfortably. Seeing him share this moment with his brother, Lewis made it even more special. pic.twitter.com/W9n0EwhxbI
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 14, 2022