Nicholas Hamilton will join the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for a partial season in 2015, racing an Audi S3 for the AmD Tuning squad.
The brother of current Formula One champion, Lewis Hamilton, Nicholas will pilot an Audi S3 formerly driven by Robb Holland for five meetings in 2015, beginning at Croft and also covering the rounds at Snetterton, Rockingham, Silverstone and Brands Hatch GP.
The news was announced at the BTCC’s official media day at Donington and is the final announcement expected prior to the start of the 2015 season.
Hamilton’s ex-Rotek Racing car has been built with the assistance of Craft-Bamboo Racing, the S3 purchased along with the team’s TOCA BTCC Licence (TBL) for this season.
“I am incredibly excited to be racing in BTCC with AmD Tuning this year. 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,” said Hamilton.
“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.
“Whilst 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.”
Hamilton previously raced in the BTCC-supporting Clio Cup in 2011, running for two seasons with Total Control Racing where three top-10 results came his way. A move followed 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.
The AmD Tuning squad ran Dave Newsham last season to Jack Sears Trophy success, and will enter Hamilton alongside last year’s Renault UK Clio Cup champion, Mike Bushell, in 2015. The latter will race the team’s Ford Focus ST machine throughout the full campaign.
Shaun Hollamby, Team Principal, AmD Tuning added: “We are pleased to announce that Nicolas has joined the AmD Tuning team. BTCC is a fiercely competitive series with hard wheel-to-wheel racing action on track and we have developed Nicolas’s 2015 program 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’s 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, commented: “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.”
