Driving Senna’s McLaren MP4/5B at Interlagos ‘the greatest honour of my career’ says emotional Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton was treated to a rare and special opportunity ahead of the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, as he climbed behind the wheel of the 1990 McLaren MP4/5B of his racing idol Ayrton Senna.

At Senna’s home track of Interlagos, Hamilton completed a number of laps in the V10-engined MP4/5B on the wet circuit, pulling over at one point to take a Brazilian flag from a marshal – just as an exhausted Senna did after his emotional breakthrough victory at the track in 1991.

READ MORE: From his first win to that magical Monaco pole lap – 10 moments of Ayrton Senna brilliance

After completing what he later grinningly admitted were more laps than he’d been instructed to, Hamilton posed for pictures on the grid with Viviane Senna, Ayrton’s sister, before speaking to the media in front of the “beautiful” Brazilian crowd.

“It’s very, very emotional, naturally,” said Hamilton. “I was just revisiting my childhood as I was watching [Ayrton] race here as a kid. Hearing that sound and… watching him drive here, winning that race, I just couldn’t believe that I just had that chance to do that, and it was really the greatest honour of my career.

“To do it here in front of this beautiful crowd here in Brazil, who stood out in the rain all day yesterday, and then have been here since 4am or 3am this morning… A very, very special day and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made this happen.”

READ MORE: Road trips, fierce battles and poignant memories – Ayrton Senna’s karting team mate, Terry Fullerton, on his time with the Brazilian racer

Aside from his unabashed love of Senna, Hamilton has a special connection with Brazil, having won his maiden title here in dramatic circumstances at the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, while 2022 saw Hamilton made an honorary citizen of the country.

Meanwhile, laps completed, Hamilton then had his day job with Mercedes to focus on, with the seven-time champion set to start the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from P15 after a disappointing Q1 exit in Sunday morning’s qualifying.