Englishman Lewis Hamilton thrilled the public at Interlagos this Sunday (3) by driving Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/5B on a wet track. The seven-time F1 world champion was also very emotional after getting out of the car and received a replica of the Brazilian driver’s helmet, hand-delivered by Viviane Senna, on the main straight of the circuit.

“It was very exciting. I just can’t believe I got this chance. Doing this in Brazil in front of this crowd. It is the greatest honor of my career. I hope Senna is proud”, said Hamilton, who has always shown himself to be a big fan of Ayrton.

The peak of the action was the moment when an inspector handed over the Brazilian flag to Hamilton to raise and wave to the public while driving the McLaren used by Senna in 1990.

The tribute in São Paulo was scheduled to be held on Saturday, but rain hit the race track and much of the schedule was transferred to Sunday. Hamilton’s five laps in Senna’s McLaren took place from 10 am.

The 2024 F1 São Paulo GP saw the victory of the Dutchman Max Verstappen and the podium was completed by the French Esteban Ocon in second and Pierre Gasly in third. Hamilton finished the race in 10th place.