Motorbase Performance’s Nic Hamilton says he is “super proud” to be on the 2019 British Touring Car Championship grid, adding that he feels he has “made it” after years of hard work.
Hamilton, who is backed by RoKiT Racing for this year, is driving a Motorbase Ford Focus RS with cockpit modifications to account for his Cerebral Palsy.
He told TouringCars.Net that his first full-season in the BTCC has been the culmination of six years of hard work and determination to secure a drive.
“For me, I made it,” said Hamilton. “This is what I worked so hard for, it took me six years to get in this position. I knew at the end of last year I wanted to do everything I could to get back on the grid, and I’m here!
“My car’s behind me in my own garage with all my sponsors. I’m super, super proud to be in this position.
“But obviously it’s the first race and there’s a lot to take in. 30 cars at Brands Hatch Indy is never easy, but I just have to learn.
“I was learning tyre warming, tyre scrubbing and all that stuff in FP1. But I’m really enjoying it, and I just want to keep developing as a driver and reach my full potential – the potential that I know I can reach, and the ability that I know I have.”
Hamilton, brother of five-time F1 World Champion Lewis, has raced previously in the championship in 2015, competing for AmD Tuning for a brief spell behind the wheel of an Audi S3.
Despite this, he says he is “disregarding” his previous experience, due to the major changes in both the car and the team, as well as how much has changed in the series since then – including the switch from GPRM to RML suspension.
“I almost disregard those four races I did with AmD, the car is completely different now. There’s so much more to take in in that way,” explained Hamilton.
“Motorbase are structured differently, they’ve just taken me under their wing, sort of holding my hand through everything. So it’s a clean slate and I’m starting again.
“That was my first free practice session in touring cars and it was an interesting session. A lot to learn, but also a lot learnt. I just want to keep moving forward for the rest of the day.”
Hamilton has completed three test days in the car in advance of this weekend, but admits they were run in warmer conditions, and today’s conditions are far cooler, with some rain in the air.
“We’ve only done three days in the car and they were warmer than this. We didn’t have any rain in the air and now the track temperature is only four degrees, so that’s the coldest it’s been since I’ve driven this car.
“But I’ll just tackle whatever is thrown in front of me and do the best job that I can. I know that FP1 today was probably the worst that I’m going to be all year so I can only go forward, I can only get stronger and more comfortable.
“So I’m really excited for that.”