The brother of seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says he hopes to “inspire” other disabled people as he prepares to compete in the British Touring Car Championship again this year.

Nicolas Hamilton, who has cerebral palsy, was the first disabled athlete to compete in a motorsport series, racing against able-bodied drivers in specially adapted cars.

The 32-year-old, who drives for Team HARD, is preparing for the seventh season of the championship which starts on April 27 at Brands Hatch.

Hamilton was interviewed by Sky News’ Kay Burley at a breakfast on the day his first book, Now I Have Your Attention, was released, which offers seven life lessons to help people overcome their perceived limitations.

Asked how difficult it is to drive with his condition, which causes impaired muscle coordination, Hamilton said: “I can’t bend my ankle. A lot of racers bend their ankles to accelerate and brake.

“So I modified the car and put a manual clutch on the steering wheel, and then I had two pedals instead of three. So I had an accelerator and a brake.

“Yes, I have to stay fit and train myself to be an able-bodied driver.”

Hamilton said he is essentially a Paralympian competing in an Olympic sport.

The driver said he had a “difficult upbringing” and was bullied as a child as he struggled to live in the “able-bodied world” as a disabled person.

However, he added: “I overcame my condition at the age of 15, taught myself to walk again and started racing.

“I use my goals as a disabled person to try and inspire other people. That’s what I wanted to try and do with this book.”

Hamilton said he hopes the book will “get into the hands of people who need it” while others struggle with living with a disability.

He continued: “I’m out there talking about all kinds of things…I want to use my voice to inspire others…I believe everyone has a strong voice and obviously I have one The platform I want to use.

“So if I become successful as a writer through this book, that’s great. If it leads to more opportunities to share my voice and inspire people, that’s what I want to do.”

Hamilton also said he wanted other people with cerebral palsy to know they shouldn’t “be ashamed” of the condition.

He continued: “You should exploit your weaknesses and be unique. Just because you have conditions and people put limitations on you, doesn’t mean that’s the end of it.“

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Is it annoying to have a famous brother?

Hamilton also discussed his relationship with his brother lewis – His record of seven F1 world championships is tied for only Michael Schumacher.

Asked if it was annoying to have a famous brother, he said: “It’s not annoying, I’m definitely Lewis’s number one fan… I am definitely my own person.I have my own identity, I have my own story and I’m not trying to compete with Lewis.

“Part of my life is trying to inspire other people with the things I’ve been through in my life“.

Hamilton said he and his brother didn’t like talking about motorsport, but instead enjoyed playing the computer game “Call of Duty” together.

He added that they play on the same team so there is no need to try to beat each other.

Hamilton also said his brother was very supportive and was watching over him when he finished sixth at Donington Park last year to achieve his highest ever race position.

Asked about his brother’s decision to leave Mercedes Race with Ferrari from next seasonHamilton said: “This is a great opportunity for him. I think it’s a new chapter for him. I support him 100 per cent like a lot of people… He needs to do what’s right for him. Say the nicest things.”

“Like I said, I’m going to support him no matter what.”