This weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix will perhaps be the most special of Lewis Hamilton’s career, as in the build-up to the weekend at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, the seven-time World Champion was awarded with honorary Brazilian citizenship.
Hamilton has loved the country of Brazil for almost his entire life, with the British driver’s hero, Ayrton Senna, having been from the South American nation.
The Mercedes driver has always received an extremely positive reception in Sao Paulo, and even wrapped himself up in the Brazilian flag after winning the race in 2021, despite having been last after qualifying.
At last year’s race, Hamilton was disqualified from qualifying, before rising from last to fifth in the sprint race, where he then had to take another penalty for the actual race.
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This penalty saw him start tenth; however, he fought his way through the top 10 to claim a famous victory.
Fans have seen Hamilton win in Brazil three times since his F1 debut in 2007, with his first title in 2008 having also been sealed at Interlagos.
Hamilton’s connection to Brazil and the Brazilian people is one that can be clearly seen, with the Brit feeling at home in the nation.
The 103-time GP winner joked last year that he should become a citizen of the country, something that was actually suggested by congressman Andre Figueiredo following the 37-year-old’s famous victory.
It was then confirmed in June, prior to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, that Hamilton would indeed be made an honorary citizen, with the ceremony to seal it having taken place this week in the Chamber of Deputies.
During the ceremony, he was awarded with Brazil’s legislative medal of merit and a diploma, which was followed by a speech from the argued greatest of all-time.
During the speech, where he thanked everyone for the honour, he admitted that last year’s race was a very “special moment” in his life, following the reception he received by the crowd.
“I feel like now I’m one of you,” Hamilton told a crowd at the ceremony, quoted by Reuters.
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“I have so many amazing memories of Brazil.
“And particularly 2021. Knowing you guys would cheer me on the way was one of the most special moments of my entire life. I can’t wait for us to continue to strive ahead.”
Incredibly, Hamilton was called an eight-time World Champion during the ceremony, which resulted in an eruption of applause, with a video of the moment showing Hamilton with the biggest smile possibly ever seen by him.