Lewis Hamilton’s Brother Reveals Battle with Gambling Addiction in New Book

Nicolas Hamilton, younger brother of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, has opened up about his struggle with gambling addiction in his new autobiographical book, “Now That I Have Your Attention.” He shares his journey, including a moment when he contemplated suicide.

Like his brother Lewis, Nicolas is a professional racing driver, competing in the British Touring Car Championship since 2015, despite living with cerebral palsy.

From a Casual Wager to a Consuming Obsession

Nicolas’s gambling began innocently enough with a £2 bet on an Arsenal goal in 2016. After winning, he continued to bet, and his hobby quickly spiraled into an all-consuming addiction that lasted into 2017. His gambling wasn’t limited to sports; he also frequented online casinos.

Within a year, Hamilton found himself thousands of pounds in debt and unable to pay a hefty tax bill.

Sacrificing a Luxury Car Gift to Settle Debts

To settle his debts, Nicolas was forced to sell a luxury Mercedes C63, a birthday gift from his brother Lewis.

In his book, Nicolas writes, “I felt so ashamed, using this amazing gift to pay my tax bill. It felt like I had practically stolen the money from my brother, and I have never forgiven myself for that. It destroyed me. I had a balcony at my flat, and I was thinking what would I do if I just jumped off it.”

Rather than confessing his addiction to his family, Nicolas reached out to a support center for help.

Ultimately, Nicolas overcame his gambling addiction.