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Q & A with
Nicolas Hamilton
F1 world champion’s brother preparing for Clio Cup
debut at Brands Hatch
 When
did you first decide to go racing?
NH: I decided at the end of 2009 but I didn't get into a car until
September 2010. I went to Bedford Autodrome and spent two days in a
PalmerSport BMW M3 GTP, which was when I realised that I could drive
quite well and felt pretty confident.
Then in February I spent some time in a PalmerSport Renault Clio Cup
Racer - I couldn't try the actual race car at that point because I
didn't have a racing licence and the car needed to be modified. It
wasn't exactly the same but it was a good compromise.
Although you've played a lot of racing games, this is your first
experience of an actual racing car: how does it compare?
NH: The first time it felt pretty weird because I'm used to online
simulation games, but in a real car you can't jump in and push straight
away; it's not like you can press escape if you go wrong! The games do a
good job but it's better to learn in real life.
How does Brands Hatch compare to its virtual equivalent?
NH: When I played it as a game I never really liked Brands Hatch, maybe
because I struggled for pace online, but its a completely different
experience when you get here. I love it completely, it's unbelievable!
Brands Hatch Indy circuit is such as small track but it's difficult to
be fast - you can easily drive around it but it's all about finding that
extra tenth of a second.
Why did you choose the AirAsia Renault Clio Cup?
NH: I didn't want to race people that were out on track just for fun, I
wanted to race people looking for a career. The Clio Cup has a great
bunch of drivers to learn from as they've got good pace. They've also
got a lot of experience from racing in other series.
Have you set any expectations for yourself this year?
NH: I've never raced in my life so the best thing for me to do is just
to get in the car and progress slowly. I think in my first race I might
be left behind a little bit, but I'll be aiming to stay on the back of
the rest of the field. And the day of my first race is mother's day so
my present to my mother will be to bring the car home safely!
Hopefully once I'm on the pace I can get nearer to the front by the end
of the season. I'm just going to keep pushing and see where it takes me.
How have preparations been going for the season?
NH: It took a long time to get my racing licence, so I've missed a lot
of testing. The other teams have done twelve or thirteen days' testing,
but I've only done four days.
How has Lewis influenced you?
NH: When I got in the PalmerSport Clio in February, Lewis came along and
helped me out. It made me realised how good he is as he's so consistent
- he can get into any car and be fast. He gave me some pointers and I
ended the day only a second off his pace, which I don't think is bad!
I look up to Lewis a lot and have a massive amount of respect for him
and the way he handles things. He's taken on board and got over a huge
amount of pressure over the years - I want to know how he does it as
it's not normal!
Lewis deserves every bit of his success as he works so hard and puts in
all his time and effort. I remember when he won the 2008 F1 World
Championship, at the end of the race when he got out the car and came
over to me I could tell he was tired. It took every ounce of his body
and energy to win that world championship. He's just a massive
inspiration to me.
Will Lewis be cheering you on at Brands Hatch?
NH: I'm hoping he will be there at the first race - he's going to be at
as many as he can - but I don't need him there in person to know I've
got his support. I've got a great team around me in TCR who have so much
experience with the car, so they can probably give me more advice than
Lewis can.
Do you see yourself having a lengthy motorsport career?
NH: I love motorsport and I've been around it ever since I can remember,
but at the moment I'm just doing it because I love it and I want to
inspire people. I've got so much to worry about that I just want to
focus on this year and not think about the future - although I'm hoping
this will be the first year of many in motorsport.
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