SÃO PAULO, Brazil – British driver Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to Brazilian F1 legend Ayrton Senna, who died in a fatal crash 30 years ago while driving his 1990 McLaren, ahead of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.
After qualifying, postponed until Sunday due to heavy rain the day before at the Interlagos circuit, the seven-time world champion drove the McLaren in which his idol won the championship in 1990, providing a great moment for the crowd.
Also wearing a helmet and a flag in the colors of Brazil, the Mercedes driver completed several laps on the wet track, while the public, moved, chanted Senna's name as he passed.
“It’s very, very emotional, naturally. I revisited my childhood, when I watched him run here on TV (…). I can't believe I got the chance to do this. This is the greatest honor of my career,” Hamilton said.
“He’s the greatest of all,” said Hamilton about the three-time world champion (1988, 1990, 1991). “Every time we come here, it’s an opportunity to do it (pay homage to Senna),” added the Briton, who arrived in Sao Paulo on Thursday carrying a toddler adorned with the Brazilian’s face and the message “Rest in peace “.
A highly regarded figure in Brazil, Hamilton was made an honorary citizen in 2022.
Organizers of the Brazilian F1 GP, drivers and fans paid tribute throughout the weekend to Senna, who died at the age of 34 on May 1, 1994, in an accident at the Imola Grand Prix, in Saint -Marine.
Former German driver Sebastian Vettel, another great admirer of Senna, also paid tribute to the Brazilian by bringing together current drivers on Thursday around a float, similar to those of the Rio Carnival, representing a giant helmet of Ayrton Senna, wearing the words “ForeverSenna”.
“Ayrton is so important in Brazil that we said to ourselves: let's build a helmet, but not only that, let's make it different and focus on another subject, namely the environment and waste management,” said the German quadruple world champion, on the official F1 website.
The interior of this helmet, made from recyclable materials, was decorated with black and white photographs of the star and pilots' autographs. It is expected to be permanently installed in Interlagos according to local media.
