From Senna's inspiration to an honorary citizen – Why Hamilton has a special connection to Brazil

As the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix beckons, the paddock makes its annual pilgrimage to Interlagos – the undulating and unpredictable amphitheatre of passion that has shaped Formula 1 legends ever since it first arrived on the calendar. For many drivers it’s another stop on a globe-trotting schedule, but for Lewis Hamilton Brazil is far more than that.

It’s a place woven into the fabric of his story – a country that gave him his first hero, some of his defining moments, and, eventually, a second home. The relationship has grown and deepened over time, with the seven-time World Champion also an honorary Brazilian citizen. Here's why Hamilton's love affair with Brazil – and Brazil’s with him – is one of F1’s great modern romances...

It all began with Senna

Before the titles and records, and before Lewis Hamilton had even stepped into the cockpit of an F1 car, there was Ayrton Senna. Hamilton has said countless times that the Brazilian icon has always been his guiding star – even from childhood.

What initially drew Hamilton to Senna wasn’t just his success, but his spirit. Speaking to Motorsport Magazine about his enduring admiration, Hamilton reflected that Senna was “such a fighter…never one to drive half-heartedly. He was always chasing perfection – a warrior, and that’s what I loved about him.”

To the young Briton, Senna wasn’t simply a racing idol; he embodied the very ideals Hamilton aspired to, including courage, authenticity, and an almost spiritual pursuit of excellence. It’s little wonder, then, that Hamilton grew up emulating his hero whenever possible – adopting the famous yellow and green helmet, the bold racing style, even the sense of moral purpose behind the wheel.

So, when he finally arrived in Brazil as a fully-fledged F1 driver, an invisible thread already tied him to the place. Through Senna’s legacy, he’d long fallen in love with the country.

The pulse and pull of Brazil

For Hamilton, Brazil’s magic has always been about more than motorsport. “The thing I love the most in Brazil is people, energy,” he told Elle Men Brasil in 2024. “When I finally came here, I felt the energy. It’s a very diverse country, which I love. I feel at home.”

Every November, when he returns to Sao Paulo, that welcome home feels as genuine as ever, with grandstands alive with colour, flags waving, and an affection that entirely transcends borders. And the love runs both ways. For Brazilian fans, Hamilton represents the values they hold dear; flair, determination, and a refusal to give anything less than everything – something they experienced in abundance from Senna.

Because of this, the fans see in Hamilton a modern echo of Senna’s fearlessness – a racer who drives with both soul and precision. That authenticity has earned him both admiration and adoration from thousands of motorsport fans in the country.

Over the years, Hamilton has immersed himself in the country’s culture, embracing its music, its people, and its joy. He counts several Brazilian sporting icons among his friends – including football star Neymar Jr and multi-world champion surfer Gabriel Medina – and he often speaks with affection about the friendships he’s built there.

The racing theatre – Hamilton and Interlagos at their best

Every great sporting relationship needs a stage, and for Hamilton and Brazil that is Interlagos. Few circuits in the sport carry as much emotion as this tight and twisting ribbon as this track on the outskirts of Sao Paulo.

There have been plenty of highlights, including his 2021 drive over an eventful Sprint weekend. It was a performance that has gone down in history as one of his greatest ever weekends of driving.

Hamilton set the fastest time in Qualifying on Friday, only to be disqualified for a technical infringement. Undeterred, he started the Sprint from P20 and surged to fifth in just 24 laps of racing – a charge that left the grandstands in total awe. A further grid penalty dropped him to 10th for Sunday’s Grand Prix, but yet again he carved through the field, sweeping past title rival Max Verstappen to win in commanding fashion.

After crossing the line, Hamilton emulated his childhood hero by lifting the Brazilian flag high from the cockpit just as Senna had done after his first home victory in 1991. “I was so proud to hold that flag,” he recalled later. “Growing up I’d always loved Ayrton; I’d watch him when he carried a flag. When I saw a marshal holding one, I had to stop and grab it.”

It was, he said, a way to thank the nation that had inspired him since boyhood, a gesture of love and gratitude: “I was hoping I could lift up the nation in some way, even though I wasn’t from Brazil – except now, I am Brazilian.”

From idol to citizen – Brazil embraces Lewis

Hamilton’s special bond with Brazil became immortalised in 2022, when he was made an honorary citizen. In a ceremony at the Chamber of Deputies in Brasilia, it’s an honour usually reserved for statesmen, artists and national icons. In a way, this was simply a formal acknowledgement of a connection decades in the making for Hamilton, as he declared it to be “the greatest honour for me to be here receiving and accepting this citizenship. I really do feel like now I’m one of you, finally.”

Unsurprisingly, he dedicated the honour to the man that started it all for him – Ayrton Senna. “I really want to dedicate this to Ayrton, his family, his friends and his fans,” he said, acknowledging the inspiration that has shaped his life and career.

“Through his eyes, I was able to see just how passionate Brazilians were, and how deep it goes, the love and passion you have for your country, and how beautiful it is. I’m so excited to spend some more time here.”

It was official confirmation of what fans at Interlagos had already decided years earlier: Lewis Hamilton belongs here.

Brazil as a platform for his off-track mission

The connection between Hamilton and Brazil is not strictly about what happens on track and the mutual admiration. It’s increasingly about the wider message and legacy of the relationship.

In his citizenship speech, Hamilton said he felt inspired by the resilience in Brazil and by the many people “fighting for the same thing”, whilst stressing a commitment to “push for change and diversity” in the country.

That’s a reflection of his growing role as a global voice for diversity, equality and positive change. His alignment with Senna’s legacy, his embracing of the Brazilian fan base, and his public commentary all deepen that bond tenfold.