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Nicolas Hamilton Faces Uncertain End to BTCC Season After Silverstone Fire
Nicolas Hamilton, younger brother of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, is facing the possibility of an early conclusion to what he has described as his best season in racing. The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) driver suffered a frightening incident at Silverstone last weekend, forcing him to retire from the penultimate round of the campaign and casting doubt on whether he will compete in the finale at Brands Hatch.
The 33-year-old, who represents Powder Monkey Brewing Co., had been enjoying what he called the strongest season of his career to date. However, his momentum was abruptly halted when his car suffered a major oil fire on the Wellington Straight during Sunday’s action at Silverstone. Flames engulfed the machine, leaving it parked trackside in dramatic scenes.
Fortunately, Hamilton was able to exit the vehicle safely and escaped unharmed, though the severity of the fire has raised questions about whether his team will be able to prepare the car in time for the final race of the season. Reflecting on the incident, Hamilton admitted it was a “scary moment,” not only for himself but also for his family and friends who were watching on.
Taking to Instagram, he shared an image of the car consumed by flames, alongside a candid message: “What an amazing picture of a very disappointing and scary moment for me, my family and friends to start my Sunday at Silverstone. I was surprisingly calm throughout, trying to save the car from further damage while keeping myself safe, and I am proud of how I handled the situation.”
Hamilton acknowledged that his participation at the season finale remains uncertain. “After yesterday’s fire, there is a question mark on whether I will be driving for the last round of the season at Brands Hatch next weekend. But if I don’t get the opportunity to finish the season, I want to thank everyone for their support this year—friends, family, and sponsors—for helping me follow my dream.”
Despite not scoring points in 2025, Hamilton insisted that this season has marked a personal milestone. “I personally feel I have been driving the best I ever have in the BTCC and I am so proud of my progress this year,” he wrote.
Nicolas Hamilton has long been a trailblazer in motorsport. Living with cerebral palsy, he made history in 2015 as the first disabled driver to compete in the BTCC. His determination and resilience saw him achieve a career-best result of sixth place at Donington Park in 2023, further cementing his place in the series.
However, his journey has not been without setbacks. Hamilton was forced to step away from competition in 2023, taking a 20-month break before returning to the grid for the 2025 campaign. Though results have not translated into points, Hamilton has repeatedly highlighted the progress in his driving and his growing consistency as signs of genuine improvement.
Looking ahead, he has already set his sights on building into the 2026 season, provided he cannot race at Brands Hatch. For now, though, all attention turns to the final round of this year’s BTCC, where Tom Ingram leads the standings and will look to secure the championship crown at the start of October.
For Nicolas Hamilton, however, the focus is on recovery, regrouping, and deciding whether he will get one last chance to round off what has been his most promising season to date.
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