Emotional Hamilton drives Senna's car before Brazilian Grand Prix, regrets he can't drive it at race

 British driver Lewis Hamilton has won seven Formula One titles, holds multiple records and has clocked some of fastest laps in history. But greatest hor of his career, according to 39-year-old, came on Sunday as he drove late Ayrton Senna’s title-winning car around Interlagos ahead of this afteron’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

Some fans in stands had tears in ir eyes as Hamilton knelt in front of car in reverence.

Wearing an all white racing suit, Hamilton took some laps under falling rain in historic McLaren MP4/5B that Senna drove during his 1990 title campaign, in which he beat Ferrari's Alain Prost. Mercedes driver was shown checkered flag by Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Rebeca Andrade as he carried a Brazilian flag with his right hand, mimicking what legendary three-time champion did after many of his victories.

Senna died after San Mari Grand Prix in 1994. His legacy is ever present at Interlagos, where he won in 1991 and 1993.

“It is very emotional, naturally,” said Hamilton as he held Brazilian flag on his back. “I was revisiting my childhood as I watched Ayrton racing here. I can't believe I am having this opportunity.

“It is greatest hor of my career to do it in front of this amazing crowd in Brazil,” said Hamilton, who in 2022 became an horary Brazilian citizen by a motion of country's congress.

Struggling with Mercedes this season, British driver jokingly said he had “ best drive in whole weekend.” He clocked only 16th fastest lap during qualifying in morning. Heavy rain in Sao Paulo delayed much of Saturday's action to Sunday morning, including tribute to Senna.

“I would race with that car today if I could,” Hamilton said. British driver, who will move to Ferrari next season, is sixth in drivers' championship.

Earlier this year, four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel drove Senna's 1993 McLaren at Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as part of tributes to Brazilian driver on 30th anniversary of his death.

Former Brazilian drivers were split about handing tribute to Senna to his hardcore fan Hamilton. Rubens Barrichello said a Brazilian driver who shared some time in F1 with three-time champion would have been a better choice.

Two-time champion Emerson Fittipaldi said in an interview that it was “unethical” for organizers to pick British driver. But Felipe Massa, who lost 2008 title to Hamilton near end of that year's race at Interlagos, agreed with move.

“Of course, I wanted to drive it myself. But I respect decision of Senna family, fans will love to watch a big fan of Ayrton's like Hamilton driving his car here,” Massa said on Saturday. “In end, every driver would love to have that hor.”