Nic Hamilton will switch to Team HARD for the 2020 British Touring Car Championship season, where he will race a Volkswagen CC alongside Jack Goff, Mike Bushell and Carl Boardley in his third season in the series.
Hamilton, who first appeared in the BTCC in a part-season with AmD Tuning in 2015, will compete as a single-car entry this year with continued backing from ROKiT.
The younger brother of Formula One star Lewis Hamilton was the only driver in last year’s championship to fail to score a point when he raced with Motorbase Performance, picking up a best finish of 18th at Snetterton before he withdrew from the final two events of the year.
Team HARD has been working to develop its Volkswagen CC during the off-season, with the car having now featured in the BTCC for eight consecutive seasons since Team HARD gave it its début in 2013.
Like the Audi S3 and Ford Focus that he raced previously, Hamilton’s car has been modified to allow him to compete with cerebral palsy.
“I’m super-excited to be with Team HARD. Racing for the 2020 season,” said Hamilton. “Last year was so challenging for me, coming close to facing a reality where my career might be over was really tough.
“But people stuck by me, kept me focused and upbeat, and I’m now in great place to start a new chapter behind the wheel.
“Team HARD. Racing are the most professional team I’ve worked with. Their tenacity, motivation and belief inspires me. They deserve a great season from me and I’m going to give my all to give them that.
“The way these guys go about things in preparing the car and energising the team is inspiring, it cultivates such a great atmosphere from the factory to the pit lane.
“They help give me such enthusiasm for the season ahead and having ROKiT Phones and ABK Beer as partners, once again, is tremendous as they are brands with a passion to be the best in their industry, something that really resonates with me.
“Last year they stuck by me and acted with such integrity. I’m proud to represent them and be a part of their success, and more than anything I’m grateful for their continued support.”
Team HARD Managing Director Tony Gilham praised Hamilton for his determination in the BTCC, and expects the 27-year-old to learn a lot from his team-mates in 2020.
“I’m delighted that Nic has chosen to join the team for the 2020 season,” added Gilham. “His determination and drive to succeed has really lifted the whole team as we prepare three brand new Volkswagen CC’s.
“Nic showed really encouraging signs in the series last term and his performance in the early laps of the opening round at Brands Hatch really caught my eye.
“This is the first year in the team’s history that we are going to Spain for testing and I couldn’t be more excited.
“A solid stint in the new Volkswagen CC will really benefit Nic both on and off track as he settles into a new and very different team.
“I’m expecting Nic to learn a lot from our returning drivers as we look to move further up the grid in 2020.”