This year’s F1 São Paulo GP weekend featured a series of tributes to Ayrton Senna, in the year in which the three-time F1 world champion’s death marked three decades. Not even the rainy weather over the three days of activities on the track prevented the celebration of the Brazilian idol.
German Sebastian Vettel began paying tribute on Thursday (31). The driver brought a giant replica of Senna’s helmet, made with materials recycled by collectors on the streets of the capital, in the colors of the Brazilian flag. Above the display, there was the inscription: “Senna Forever” (in Portuguese, “Senna Semper”).
Produced by artists Matthias Garff and Thiago Mundano, the helmet was brought to the Interlagos race track and positioned between the Senna S curves. “Keep the legacy alive,” he wrote on his social media.
The object was visited by almost the entire F1 grid and by some F2 drivers, such as Gabriel Bortoleto, Kimi Antonelli and Jack Doohan. Afterwards, it was positioned close to Grandstand A, where Senna’s bust is located.
On Friday (1), the inauguration of the revitalization of Ayrton Senna’s mural took place, 27 meters high and 10 meters wide, by Eduardo Kobra, located after entering gate 7.
The most anticipated moment, however, occurred this Sunday (3), when the McLaren MP4/5B, which Senna used to win his second world championship in 1990, took to the track and was driven by the Englishman Lewis Hamilton, an avowed fan of the Brazilian.
The tribute was scheduled for Saturday, but was rescheduled due to rain, which also caused the race classification to be postponed.
At around 10 am, the racetrack’s screens were already showing images of Lewis Hamilton wearing a white jumpsuit and a green and yellow helmet.
In the stands, the traditional shout “hello, hello, hello, hello, Senna! Senna!” was echoed by the crowd. McLaren entered the track exactly through the S curve, in reference to Senna. The audience gave the tribute a standing ovation.
While Hamilton was driving the car, narrations recalled historic moments from his races in Interlagos. “Flags waving. These are the last corners for Ayrton Senna”.
The song “Tema da Vitória”, composed by maestro Eduardo Souto Neto and the theme of the Brazilian’s achievements, echoed throughout the racetrack. “Ayrton Senna from Brazil”, said the narration.
In the rain, Hamilton took the Brazilian flag and thrilled the crowd, repeating an act that Senna used to do in races.
The Brazilian was a specialist in tests carried out in rainy conditions. At the end, gymnast Rebeca Andrade gave a symbolic flag to the Brit.
After the tribute to Senna, Lewis Hamilton said, in an interview with Band, that Ayrton is the “best of all” and that he managed to relive his childhood days.
“It’s very exciting. I was revisiting my childhood watching Ayrton, watching him drive, winning races. I can’t believe I’m having this opportunity, he’s the greatest of them all. To do this in front of this crowd, who stood in the rain all whole day. It’s a very special day for me,” he said.
The seven-time champion also highlighted the affection he receives from Brazilians: “I love Brazil, I love the people, I feel honored to have my citizenship here”, he stated.
“I hope Senna is proud, that was my best lap all weekend. This is a race car, if I could, I would race this car today.”
