Nicolas Hamilton, younger brother of legendary Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, recently revealed in his new book ‘Now That I Have Your Attention’ that he had to sell a Mercedes C63 gifted to him by Lewis to settle a tax debt incurred from his severe gambling addiction.
The car was a special gesture from Lewis, who secured the luxury vehicle for Nicolas in recognition of his brother’s support, amid his own illustrious career which includes six world championships with Mercedes.
In the book, Nicolas, 32, candidly discusses the depths of his gambling problem, which not only jeopardized his financial stability but also led him to experience severe depression and suicidal thoughts.
He writes, “I felt so ashamed, using this amazing gift to pay my tax bill. It felt like I had practically stolen the money from my brother and I have never forgiven myself for that.”
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His struggles with gambling became a vicious cycle of chasing losses, which he described as all-consuming. “It destroyed me.
“I got a real wake-up call. I had no way of going forward because I’d lost everything.
“I was stuck.
“I had a balcony at my flat and I was thinking what would I do if I just jumped off it,” Nicolas shared, highlighting the gravity of his emotional turmoil during this period.
In an interview with The Times, he further elaborated on the compulsive nature of his addiction: “I wanted more of the winnings – and the losing didn’t really deter me. It just got me in a cycle. “
“I couldn’t stop thinking about it – I just wanted to go back to my computer.”
Despite his challenges, Nicolas, who lives with cerebral palsy, has achieved notable success in the British Touring Car Championship, achieving his career-best sixth place at Donnington Park.
His passion for motorsport, shared with his brother, remained a significant part of his life despite his personal struggles.
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Unwilling to burden his family with his troubles, Nicolas turned to external support, finding solace and guidance in conversations with the Samaritans helpline.
Through this support and his own resolve, he managed to overcome his addiction.
His story not only sheds light on his personal battles but also highlights the often hidden struggles of individuals living in the shadow of famous family members.