Lewis Hamilton EMOTIONAL As He Drives Senna's Car Around Interlagos Before The Brazilian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has never hidden away from fact that Brazilian Grand Prix is a special race for him as he has always considered legendary McLaren driver Ayrton Senna as his hero, Senna being from Brazil has me race at Interlagos special for 7-time World Champion. Before start of Brazilian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton got opportunity of a lifetime when he was given Senna's legendary McLaren F1 car to drive around Interlagos circuit prior to race. 

Lewis Hamilton Gets Emotional As He Drives Senna's Car Around Circuit 

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

Some fans in stands h 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 Andre as he carried a Brazilian flag with his right hand, mimicking what legendary three-time champion did after many of his victories. 

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Senna died after San Marino 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 honor of my career to do it in front of this amazing crowd in Brazil,” said Hamilton, who in 2022 became an honorary Brazilian citizen by a motion of country’s congress.

During his time at McLaren, Hamilton drove Senna’s MP4/4 car around Silverstone in 2009 for a British TV program. 

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On his social media channels, British driver ded that weekend is not going his way so far, but he could still enjoy moment with Senna’s car.

Hamilton On Driving Senna's Car Around Interlagos 

“I won my first championship here, h my best ever drive here, and now to be in this country as an honorary citizen driving my hero’s car is almost too much to comprehend. It doesn’t feel real,” he said. “It’s a massive honour and one that I’ll look back on as one of highlights of my life.”  

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Struggling with Mercedes this season, British driver jokingly said he h “ best drive in whole weekend.” He will start Sunday’s race 14th. 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.

Luciane D’Angelo, 45, was one of tearful fans watching Hamilton drive at Interlagos. As a child, she used to watch F1 races with her far, who currently suffers from a serious disease she did not disclose.

“I cry because Ayrton’s tragic death still leaves us with this massive void. He me children of that time enjoy ir Sundays with ir families even more. He wasn’t only one of greatest F1 drivers in history, but also a person that every Brazilian learned to mire,” she said.

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. “At end, every driver would love to have that honor.”

(With AP Inputs)