Lewis Hamilton will be back in a McLaren this weekend as the Brits pays tribute to home favourite Ayrton Senna at the Brazil Grand Prix by driving one of his old cars
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the legendary figure’s passing and his adoring home crowd continue to idolise the three-time world champion. Senna was killed at Imola but his legacy has lived on.
That is one of the cars Senna claimed a world title in with the Brazilian ruling the sport in 1988, 1990 and 1991. Hamilton has been a winner at Interlagos on three previous occasions – taking the chequered flag in 2016, 2018 and 2021. He was also made an honorary citizen of Brazil ahead of the 2022 race in Sao Paulo.
Hamilton has a long standing relationship with the Senna family and was presented with a race-worn helmet after equalling the Brazilian’s tally of pole positions at the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix.
Hamilton began watching the sport when Senna was at his peak and has previously underlined his admiration. He said: “I started watching Formula 1 with my dad when I was just four or five years old. I loved cars. At the time, Senna and Alain Prost were the leaders of the pack and they immediately caught my attention.
“Ayrton was always very cool and composed when he was interviewed after the race. On top of that, kids are attracted to colours and I loved the orange and white McLaren and Ayrton’s yellow helmet. I started to watch him and follow his success and, as I got a bit older, I began to want to know a bit more about the guy.”
Hamilton himself is looking to claim one more victory with the Silver Arrows before he departs for Ferrari. The Mercedes driver has claimed two race wins this season – one of those on home soil – and is seeking to go out on a high.
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