Nicolas Hamilton withdraws from remainder of 2019 BTCC
Although his season looked to have been saved by Williams Formula 1 sponsor ROKiT last month, Nicolas Hamilton has elected to miss the final two British Touring Car Championship events
The 27-year-old, half-brother of five-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis, joined the Motorbase Performance team this season to drive one its Ford Focus cars for what was meant to be his first full-season.
Hamilton, who has cerebral palsy, has decided to sit out the rounds at Silverstone this weekend and the Brands Hatch finale on October 12-13 following sponsorship issues.
He had fought to get on the grid, facing an unexpected batte for funding ahead of the Knockhill round earlier this month.
"Having competed in all eight of the BTCC race events so far this year, I have decided to step back from the final two rounds of the season, to regroup and come back stronger next year," said Hamilton.
"Many thanks to all of my partners for making this year possible.
"I have proven a lot to myself and to all that ever doubted me.
"See you in 2020, where I will be hungrier and stronger than ever."
Hamilton took a best finish of 18th over the course of the 24 races so far this season in the final race of the day at Snetterton.
It is unclear if Motorbase Performance will continue to field the car with a replacement driver this weekend.
Motorbase Performance also runs cars for Tom Chilton and Ollie Jackson.
Team principal David Bartrum said: "It has taken a huge amount of effort, hard work, and determination from Nic to reach the BTCC grid.
"I think he's shown that he's a very capable driver, and surprised people along the way.
"Everyone at Motorbase Performance wishes him the very best with his journey and future motor racing career."
Previous article
Bushell replaces Tordoff in AmDTuning Honda for rest of 2019 BTCC
Next article
Blundell opens up about "painful" BTCC season
BTCC: Oulton Park Race 3 in 75 seconds
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 3 in 60 seconds
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 2 in 80 seconds
BTCC: Brands Hatch Race 1 in 80 seconds
BTCC: Thruxton Race 3 in 90 seconds
The increasingly varied CV behind a new BTCC title challenger
A driver with limited funds behind him, it’s been a tough road to the top of the British Touring Car Championship for Jake Hill. Now he’s a title contender, accomplished historic racer and in-demand coach. It’s a great life for this self-confessed motorsport junkie
The outright tin-top wins achieved by a forgotten tin-top great
Already established as a formidable force in the British Saloon Car Championship, the Triumph Dolomite became a legend in 1977 when Tony Dron's Broadspeed machine frequently embarrassed the mighty Capris
Five key plotlines to follow in the 2021 BTCC
It’s been a busy silly season in the BTCC since the chequered flag fell to end the 2020 campaign last November. While last year’s top two have stayed put, there’s plenty of talking points elsewhere, which should result in another fascinating year of tin-top action
The giantkilling 'dad and lad' operation taking on the BTCC's best
The Lancashire squad of Ciceley Motorsport has been a BTCC race winner for several years with Adam Morgan and Mercedes. But the switch to WSR-built BMWs and addition of Tom Chilton as a true barometer for Morgan should see the team step up into title contention
How a returning champion is feeling at home again in the BTCC
After topping the times at the end of British Touring Car Championship pre-season testing, it feels like Gordon Shedden has never been away. But after plenty of changes behind the scenes, the three-time champion is bedding himself in to pick up where he left off
Why a BTCC legend remains defiant at '97 not out'
After a year of enforced absence from the British Touring Car Championship grid, Jason Plato is back and hungrier than ever. Despite stellar opposition and some familiar challenges, the two-time champion still has his eyes focused on the biggest prizes
How Ingram's clean slate can end his BTCC title wait
After seven years together, Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport have amicably split and gone down separate paths for the 2021 BTCC season. With engineer Spencer Aldridge joining him at the Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai squad, Ingram is confident he can challenge for titles from the off
How the unlikely Capri-slaying Dolomite triumphed against adversary
The Dolomite Sprint was a potent giantkilling weapon during the 1970s in the British Saloon Car Championship, now known as the BTCC. Tin-top legend Andy Rouse explains how it became such a force
