Yesterday in Brazil was very busy, with qualifying and the race on the same day for the drivers.
But in between, Lewis Hamilton finally got to drive Ayrton Senna’s 1990 McLaren MP4/5B, in front of the Brazilian fans.
In fact, these demonstration laps initially planned for Saturday were also postponed due to the unpredictable weather.
Hamilton even stopped the V10-powered MP4/5B to take a Brazilian flag from a steward, echoing Senna’s famous act when he won in Brazil in 1991.
Lewis reacted with emotion to this rare privilege of taking the wheel of a former Formula 1 car in the country of Senna.
“It was very, very emotional, naturally.”
“I was thinking back to my childhood watching Ayrton run here.”
“Hearing that noise and… watching him drive here, winning that race, I just couldn’t believe I had this chance to do that, and it was truly the biggest honor of my career.”
“To do it here in front of this beautiful audience in Brazil, who was in the rain all day, and who had been here since 3 or 4 in the morning…”
“It was a very, very special day and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made it possible.”
You can find all the HD photos of this demonstration on page n°4 of our gallery from yesterday dedicated to qualifying and the pre-race.
Hamilton won his first F1 title in Brazil in 2008, strengthening his emotional connection to Senna’s homeland.
Two years ago, Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil.
