Seven-times Method One world champion Lewis Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil on Monday by the nation’s decrease home of Congress and devoted it to his boyhood idol, the late Brazilian triple world champion Ayrton Senna.

“I really feel like now I am one in every of you,” the Mercedes driver mentioned in a crowded session of Congress full of admirers in Brasilia days forward of this yr’s Brazilian Grand Prix on Nov. 11 in Sao Paulo.

Hamilton delighted Brazilians by unfurling the Brazilian flag from his Mercedes through the slowing down lap after profitable the final yr at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit and later carrying the flag onto the rostrum.

The decrease home handed in June a invoice to make the 37-year-old an honorary citizen that was proposed by congressman Andre Figueiredo after the British driver received the Brazilian Grand Prix for the third time in 2021.

Hamilton clinched his first world championship at Interlagos in 2008, beating Ferrari’s then native favorite Felipe Massa with an overtake on the final nook of the final lap of the ultimate spherical of the season.

A smiling Hamilton, sporting a royal blue go well with, obtained Brazil’s legislative medal of advantage, a diploma and made a speech thanking his followers and dedicating the honour to Senna.

“I’ve so many wonderful recollections of Brazil,” Hamilton mentioned.

“And notably 2021. Figuring out you guys would cheer me on the way in which was some of the particular moments of my total life. I can not anticipate us to proceed to attempt forward,” he added.

On the ceremony, congressmen additionally highlighted Hamilton’s social activism, together with his defence of minority teams and environmental causes.

Hamilton pledged to proceed pushing for variety and mentioned that visiting the Amazon rainforest was one in every of his goals.