Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been quick to thank his side for what must have been an incredibly emotional day for the Hamilton family, as his brother Nicolas Hamilton got to drive an F1 simulator.
Hamilton’s brother is also a very successful racing driver and is a competitor in the British Touring Car Championship, despite the fact he drives a specially-modified car due to his cerebral palsy.
For those who follow the 103-time GP winner, you’ll be aware of just how important family and especially his brother are to him, with the Mercedes driver labelling seeing his brother drive in the Mercedes sim as an “honour”.
Thanks to modifications to the seat, steering wheel and pedals, Nicolas was able to spend all day in the simulator.
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Hamilton thanked his team for arranging the session for his brother, who he believes is the “first disabled person ever” to drive an F1 sim.
“Earlier this year Nicolas Hamilton and I asked my team if we could make this day happen and here we are,” Hamilton wrote on social media.
“Time in the sim is incredibly rare, and not something that is accessible for someone like my brother. It took custom modifications to the seat, steering wheel and pedals to make this possible.
“He spent the whole day in it, and is the first disabled person to ever do so.
“He’s always been a fighter and seeing him have this day is an honour. The smile never left his face.
“Can’t wait to share more of this special day, thank you Mercedes for the time and work put in to make this possible and make my brother’s dream come true.”
The fact the Brackley-based team arranged this truly demonstrates the close relationship Mercedes have with Hamilton, one that started in 2013.
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Hamilton has become a leader in the side over recent years, with team principal Toto Wolff having admitted to seeing a managerial side of the driver come out during the recent challenging season.
Despite a concerning number of difficulties in 2022, Hamilton remained motivated throughout the season, even though his records crumbled.
It would come as no shock if the duo return to the front in 2023, with the Germans presumably eager to make up for their woeful 2022 campaign and reclaim the top spot from rivals Red Bull.