“Motorsport isn’t built to be inclusive”: F1 Star Highlights Major Industry Problem
Lewis Hamilton has recently shed light on motorsports and its lack of inclusivity toward certain communities within the field. In a recent Instagram post, the 7-time world champion took to his socials to congratulate his younger brother and professional racing driver, Nicolas Hamilton, on his recent accomplishment of gaining his first long-awaited accolade, where he received the “Jack Sears Trophy” which he was awarded with during his weekend at Snetterton on the 24th of May last Sunday.
The Jack Sears Trophy has been awarded in the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) for several different achievements since its inaugural title back in 2013, where it was awarded to Lea Wood, who raced in the Vauxhall Vecta car for Houseman Racing, for being the highest placed driver in an S2000-spec car. However, since 2018, the award is now presented to the top driver who has not scored a podium at the season start, which meant that Nic was eligible to be in contention and was rightly presented with this famed silverware. Fans reported that there was not a single dry eye in the audience, as those who follow Nic’s inspiring story know how monumental this was for the 34-year-old.
Nicolas was born with Cerebral palsy, Cerebral palsy (CP), which is a group of lifelong motor disorders that affect a person's ability to move, maintain balance, and posture. It is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth and at only 18 months old, Nic's parents were told that he would never be able to walk. As a kid growing up, Nic sat on the sidelines watching his brother race at the pinnacle of motorsports every single weekend, giving him nothing but his full love and support. When at 17, Nic proved doctors wrong by beginning to walk unaided, his parents gave their approval for him to begin his racing career. This started when he was given the opportunity to race in the Renault Clio Cup in 2011. Since then, Nic has been defying odds and creating momentous opportunities by proving that you are never defined by your disabilities, but more so your will power and determination in order to achieve your dreams, which is what makes Nic such a lovable character.
Nic began his BTCC career in 2015, where he became the first disabled athlete to compete in the famed British series. He became a notable contender, with many best finishes such as his first points in 2020 at Brands Hatch and obtained multiple top 10 finishing positions. He shared that his dream in the BTCC would be to take home a trophy, and this weekend, 15 years after he began racing, he has achieved what most called impossible. He is truly driven to inspire.
Whilst acknowledging what it means for Nic to have been able to achieve such a historic moment that he will remember forever, it's important for us to recognise that Nic’s story is a rare occurrence and, unfortunately, a path that many like him will never see the glory of. Referring back to what Lewis Hamilton shared on his Instagram, he stated that “There is little to no access for people with disabilities, and no support systems to level the playing field”, He goes on to talk about how despite all the doubt from doctors and uncertainty from those who witnessed his first appearances in motorsport, that his brothers’ grit and ability to overcome adversity is what has helped shape him into the athlete that he is today.
This goes to prove that it isn't about what holds you back on the race track, but more so what you are made of on the inside. Cliche? Perhaps, but without this mentality and people like Nic, people will be forever held back by someone else's doubts. Something Rising Talent Academy is consistently vocal about is the desire to ensure motorsports only expands opportunities to get involved in the sport, despite your differences. Motorsport has evolved in a plethora of ways and should only continue to do so by creating more opportunities, programmes and institutes to determine that those who feel discouraged by their circumstances can get involved. Lewis is someone who is also vocal about the importance of inclusion, given that as a kid, he also experienced feelings of isolation and discouragement surrounding who he was and where he came from. It is imperative that in this day and age, more than ever, we should aim to be more open-minded and strive to truly make motorsports for everyone.