Lewis Hamilton’s brother Nic in tears after career-first achievement | F1 | Sport

There was double delight for the Hamilton family as Formula 1 hero Lewis and his fellow motorsport star brother Nic both celebrated podiums at the weekend. Lewis’ second place in Montreal was his best Grand Prix result as a Ferrari driver to date. Meanwhile, back in England, his brother Nic was racing in the British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk.

And he shed tears of joy as he collected his first piece of silverware in his seventh BTCC season, after winning the Jack Sears Trophy. It’s the award given after each round to the driver with the most points scored over the three races held, who had recorded one podium or fewer before the start of the current season.

Nic, who has cerebral palsy, is one of six drivers on the BTCC grid eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy this year and beat the others to secure the weekend prize for the very first time. The Snetterton crowed roared as Hamilton took to the podium for the first time and was dowsed with champagne by his fellow racers.

BTCC described it as “one of the championship’s greatest moments in recent history”, as past BTCC champions joined the crowd to celebrate inspiration Nic on the podium. Overwhelmed with emotion, Nic said: “I honestly cannot believe what has happened this weekend as I never expected to walk away from Snetterton as winner of the Jack Sears Trophy.

“My whole focus was on developing and improving myself, and to end the weekend up on the podium was the most amazing experience. Thanks to the team and the car, but also through hard work from myself, I’ve been quicker here this weekend than ever before and I’m so proud of how I have driven.

“I’ve always said that I wanted to win a trophy, but I didn’t want to just be gifted it, and this weekend I feel like I earned it and deserved it. I know I need to work on my starts, but I was able to work my way forwards in every race because I had the pace to do it, and that is something I am massively proud of.

“I’m not going to, but I could happily hang my boots, gloves and helmet up after this weekend knowing that I have achieved the dream of a little boy who was told he would never walk. The amount of support from the BTCC paddock and from the whole community around the championship has been incredible and it was truly a surreal moment to be there on the podium seeing everyone cheering.

“This is for everyone who has stuck by me and supported me, and even those who have doubted me as it has only fuelled my desire to reach my goal. For all those in the disabled community, hopefully this will provide further inspiration of what is possible.”