An emotional ride: Hamilton pays tribute in Senna's iconic McLaren

SAO PAULO — British driver Lewis Hamilton has won seven Formula One titles, holds multiple records and has clocked some of the fastest laps in history. But the greatest honor of his career, according to the 39-year-old, came on Sunday as he drove the late Ayrton Senna's title-winning car around Interlagos ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Some fans in the stands had tears in their eyes as Hamilton knelt in front of the car in reverence.

Wearing an all white racing suit, Hamilton took some laps under falling rain in the historic McLaren MP4/5B that Senna drove during his 1990 title campaign, in which he beat Ferrari's Alain Prost. The Mercedes driver was shown the checkered flag by Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Rebeca Andrade, as he carried a Brazilian flag with his right hand, mimicking the legendary three-time champion's victory celebration.

Senna died after crashing during the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.His legacy is ever present at Interlagos, where he won in 1991 and 1993.

"It is very emotional, naturally," said Hamilton as he held the Brazilian flag on his back. "I was revisiting my childhood as I watched Ayrton racing here. I can't believe I am having this opportunity.

"It is the greatest honor of my career to do it in front of this amazing crowd in Brazil," said Hamilton, who in 2022 became an honorary Brazilian citizen by a motion of the country's congress.

During his time at McLaren, Hamilton drove Senna's MP4/4 car around Silverstone in 2009 for a British TV program.

On his social media channels, the British driver added that the weekend was not going his way, but he could still enjoy the moment with Senna's car.

"I won my first championship here, had my best ever drive here, and now to be in this country, as an honorary citizen, driving my hero's car is almost too much to comprehend. It doesn't feel real," he said. "It's a massive honor, and one that I'll look back on as one of the highlights of my life."

Struggling with Mercedes this season, Hamilton jokingly said he had "the best drive of the whole weekend". He started Sunday's race in 14th. Heavy rain in Sao Paulo saw much of Saturday's action delayed until Sunday morning, including the tribute to Senna.