Nicolas Hamilton to race half a season in AmD Tuning Audi

Nicolas Hamilton will join the British Touring Car Championship as a guest entry for half of the 2015 season, driving an Audi S3 for AmD Tuning.

The former Clio Cup and FIA European Touring Car Cup driver will get behind the wheel of the ex-Robb Holland machine for his debut at Croft, and will also compete at Snetterton, Rockingham, Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP.

As he is entered as a guest car, Hamilton will not be eligible to score points. He becomes the first disabled competitor to participate in the BTCC.

The announcement was made at the BTCC’s media day at Donington Park this morning, and is the final deal of the off-season to be confirmed.

“I am incredibly excited to be racing in the BTCC with AmD Tuning this year,” said Hamilton. “The BTCC is the top national motorsport series here in the UK and having the opportunity to race at that level is the biggest challenge I’ve taken on in my career to date. I’m coming into the championship with a lot to learn and my expectations are to develop as a driver as my programme across the season progresses.

“While I’m aiming to improve as a driver, I’m also hoping to inspire others to strive for their own personal goals, whatever their situation in life. Anyone can exceed expectations in one way or another and I hope to prove that when I race alongside, not just able-bodied drivers, but the best touring car drivers in the UK.”

Team principal Shaun Hollamby added: “We are pleased to announce that Nicolas has joined the AmD Tuning team. The BTCC is a fiercely competitive series with hard wheel-to-wheel racing action on track and we have developed Nicolas’s 2015 programme to ensure he enters the championship with a level of preparation.

“We have a number of test sessions over the coming months, which will enable Nicolas to acclimatise to the car. Having observed Nicolas racing in the Renault Clio Cup and the ETCC, we know he is quick learner and a strong competitor, and we’re looking forward to working with him this season.”

Alan Gow, BTCC series Director, said: “I’m pleased to provide the AmD/Nicolas Hamilton entry with ‘guest’ status to compete at five BTCC events. Although the entry does not hold a TBL (TOCA BTCC Licence) this season and is thus also not eligible for points in the championship, it will provide Nicolas with invaluable experience through competing at the highest level of British motorsport and will hopefully serve as an inspiration to others.”

Hamilton’s racing career began in the Clios in 2011, running for two seasons with Total Control Racing, finishing in 14th in his debut year and taking three top ten results in the process. A less successful 2012 season saw him finish 21st in the standings.

The younger half-brother of Lewis Hamilton, two-time Formula 1 champion, then moved to the FIA European Touring Car Cup for 2013 in a SEAT Leon Supercopa run by Baporo Motorsport, taking a highest finish of seventh at Monza en route to 10th in the Single-Make Trophy in a partial campaign.

The deal means AmD Tuning expands to two cars for the first time, adding the ex-Rotek Racing car built with the assistance of Craft-Bamboo Racing.

AmD Tuning will be the only team on the grid to run two different models of car, with Hamilton competing alongside Mike Bushell in the Motorbase Performance-developed Ford Focus ST.