Lewis Hamilton F1 news: Nicolas Hamilton blasted over 'pity porn' display as champion's brother responds to backlash

F1 Off the Track

Nicolas Hamilton blasted over 'pity porn' display as Lewis brother responds to backlash

The younger Hamilton has caused a social media storm

Stuart Telford

Saturday 13 April 2024 22:57

Nicolas Hamilton - brother of Formula 1 legend Lewis - has spoken out after an online backlash following his appearance on Loose Women on Thursday.

The younger Hamilton brother, who shares a father with the seven-time F1 champion, suffers from cerebral palsy, but that hasn't stopped him from competing in the British Touring Car Championship.

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He does so in a modified car, and was a guest on Loose Women on Thursday when he lifted the lid on his experiences as a disabled person, outlining his difficulties in personal and professional spheres as he was growing up.

Hamilton likes to characterise himself as a champion of the disabled cause, but his interview was met with a severe backlash on social media, with one fellow cerebral palsy sufferer describing it as "pity porn".

Really difficult to hear Nicolas Hamilton describe life as a wheelchair user as “bleak” and that he “wanted a girlfriend” insinuating disabled people don’t have partners.

Wheelchair using isn’t right for everyone but it certainly is not bleak.
— Michaela Hollywood MBE (@KylaHollywood) April 11, 2024

Hamilton: 'my life was bleak'

Hamilton, who has previously been open about discussing the pros and cons of having such a famous and successful - and indeed able-bodied - older brother, was surprised by the backlash, however, and took to Instagram to address it on Friday.