Englishman Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, drove this Sunday (3) the McLaren MP4/5B with which Ayrton Senna won the second of his three world titles. At Interlagos, the Mercedes team driver was chosen to be part of the tributes to the Brazilian idol in the year in which his death marks three decades.
A declared fan of the Brazilian, Hamilton sent the public in Interlagos into a frenzy when he paraded his car, in addition to wearing a helmet with Brazilian colors.
After doing a few laps, the Englishman picked up a Brazilian flag and repeated the gesture that was marked by Senna, parading with the pennant.
“I was revisiting my childhood, watching Ayrton racing, listening to the noise of that engine. I can’t believe I had the opportunity to drive the car of the greatest driver of all”, said the Englishman as soon as he got out of the car.
“To do this in front of this Brazilian crowd, who spent the whole day in the rain yesterday, and who have been here since three in the morning. It’s a very special day for me. I can only be very grateful to everyone who made this happen,” he added.
The event was initially scheduled to take place on Saturday (2), after qualifying training, but was postponed due to rain, as was the qualifying session, also held this Sunday.
It’s an honor in my career. It will never happen again, probably. I’m very happy. That’s why I didn’t stop. I was supposed to walk a little, I did a couple more laps. This is, in fact, a racing car. If I could, I would race this car today
Hamilton’s choice to drive Senna’s car caused some jealousy among Brazilian drivers. Rubens Barrichello, for example, stated that a driver from the country should be part of this tribute.
“It had to be a Brazilian. As much affection as we have for Hamilton, he will already be racing. Give the chance to a new boy, emerging, a Bortoleto, a Drugovich, to someone who didn’t have the chance to drive”, Rubinho told Band.
“Ayrton was like that, he gave his hand to help, he called my kart team to help. He would definitely do that. That’s more than I was upset, because I have Interlagos in my heart. The thing is, I think that had to be a Brazilian”, he added.
Alok pays tribute to Senna
DJ Alok also paid tribute to Ayrton Senna during the São Paulo F1 GP weekend. Chosen to be one of the fan zone’s attractions, the artist used drones to project the idol’s image, as well as the three-time champion’s helmet and signature.
“When people ask me who my inspirations are, among them I always answer: Ayrton Senna! Not only for what was done on the track, but also off it. Today I was able to pay homage to one of my heroes”, stated the DJ in a post on Instagram with the video of the tribute.
