Hamilton left gobsmacked by special F1 offer: 'Never in a million years!'
F1 News
Lewis Hamilton will get to dry Ayrton Senna's 1990 McLaren F1 car and complete some laps around the circuit during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. Senna, who was born in Brazil, tragically died 30 years ago, and the sport has put on some special tributes throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season. Hamilton was gobsmacked to be given the chance to drive Senna's car in Brazil.
Hamilton looked up to Senna when he was growing up, and he will remember the three-time World Champion with a special drive this weekend. It has been 30 years since Senna was tragically killed in an accident at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola. A number of tributes, including Sebastian Vettel driving Senna's car around Imola and a special McLaren livery in Monaco, have taken place this season.
How Hamilton reacted to hearing he will drive Senna's car
"Never in a million years [did I think] I'd ever get to drive Senna's car here. I remember someone contacted me, my manager told me about it and I jumped at the opportunity. Back in the day when I was at McLaren, I did get the chance to drive the MP4/4 around Silverstone, which was incredible. But just the thought of driving that car round here...," Hamilton said.
"I remember the races when he finally won here and held the flag. It would definitely be quite an emotional experience. I hope people are here to see it. I had a helmet made [for the previous Silverstone tribute]. I think the initial hope was for it to be a surprise, so I had a white suit and his helmet and you'd go out and drive the lap, it would just look like it was him out there. But somehow it got out there, it's impossible to keep things quiet," Hamilton remembered.
Hamilton has always acknowledged Senna's achievements in Formula 1. Hamilton is one of the most popular drivers among the Brazilian fans. The British driver has even been granted Brazilian citizenship. Senna himself won the World Championship with McLaren three times, including in 1990 with the McLaren MP4/5B which Hamilton will drive in Brazil.