Nicolas Hamilton will return to the Renault UK Clio Cup after a four year absence, joining WDE Motorsport for the remainder of the season.
Hamilton, backed by Monster Energy drink, will race in a modified Clio. As the Welwyn Garden City based driver is affected by Cerebal Palsy, he will require a quick-release steering wheel and a hand clutch.
“I’m looking for a way to continue developing my race craft in a championship I know is very, very competitive,” he said. “The UK Clio Cup is just that and it gives me the right environment to prepare for a return perhaps to touring cars.”
Hamilton raced for four rounds in the British Touring Car Championship back in 2015. As a guest driver he was ineligible for points, but took a best finish of 16th. He has also competed in the European Touring Car Cup, where he finished 10th in the championship.
The 25 year old hasn’t raced since his brief BTCC spell. He says he’s spent that time putting together a budget to continue his racing.
“The budgets [in Clio Cup] are also sensible,” he said. “Contrary to popular belief I have to make this happen myself. It isn’t gifted to me on a plate and it’s why I’ve not racing since 2015. I’ve been busy putting together the funding!
“Being a Hamilton has it’s pros and also its cons… it can help with networking but it can also mean people are quick to judge and the expectations can be too high. I am doing this for myself.”
Though Hamilton’s previous Clio Cup spell was with Total Control Racing, he’ll be racing with championship leader WDE this year. He joins Paul Rivett, Lee Pattison, Dan Zelos, and Paul Streather. The team has two wins so far this season and, between it’s four divers, seven podium finishes.
“We are of course thrilled to have Nicolas join our line-up,” said team principal Wayne Eason. “He’s a real inspiration to young people and it is also very clear he has a lot of potential as a driver. As our results have shown so far this year, the environment we offer brings out the best in drivers and we look forward very much to seeing how far we can take Nicolas over the remainder of the season.”
Image credit: Renault UK Clio Cup
