Nicolas Hamilton will join EXCELR8 Motorsport for the 2026 British Touring Car Championship season, putting the 34-year-old in arguably the best seat of his touring car career to-date.
Hamilton will move to the defending Teams’ champions at Team Vertu to tackle his eighth season in the BTCC, and his fourth full campaign (with 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2023 campaigns only having been part-seasons).
The only person in the BTCC’s history to have raced with a disability (cerebral palsy), Hamilton will get behind the wheel of one of the team’s multiple race-winning Hyundai i30 N Fastback cars, partnering Tom Ingram and Tom Chilton in the Suffolk outfit.
Hamilton will be supported by long-term EXCELR8 partner Draper Tools, who have an agreement with the team running to at least the end of the 2027 season.
“I am incredibly proud to be joining such a strong outfit in Team VERTU and EXCELR8 for this season as throughout my career, I have struggled for funding and budget, which meant I found myself in less competitive equipment,” said Hamilton, who has 160 starts to his name and a best finish of sixth.
“Thanks to my 2026 partners and the team’s long standing partner Draper Tools, I can now step into a more competitive package, and that is a really special and exciting moment for me.
“I have worked harder than ever over the winter to build my strength and fitness to improve my disability and I will be giving absolutely everything I can to be as competitive as possible.
“A big thank you to Anthony [Hamilton], Justina [Williams, Team Owner], and everyone at EXCELR8 for this incredible opportunity.”
Hamilton, who recently tested the Hyundai at Snetterton, remains eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy, for drivers who have yet to score more than one podium finish in the series.
Justina Williams, Team VERTU Team Owner, hopes the team can help Hamilton to reach the outright podium in the BTCC.
“We are delighted to welcome Nicolas into our team for the 2026 season, and to have him at the wheel of our Draper Tools car,” added Williams.
“The way Nicolas has battled against the odds to achieve his dream of competing on track despite his disability is well documented, and he is an inspiration to many for the way he has never given up on that dream.
“We feel we can give Nicolas the tools to really show what he can do this season and are looking forward to working with him to reach his goals during the year ahead, one of which is to stand on the BTCC podium with the team. We’ll be working hard with him to make that happen!”