In 2022, Brazil legally adopted a son from across the seas after they had lost their own decades ago. Lewis Hamilton was granted honorary citizenship by the nation and the world was in harmony again. However, even before the nation officially extended its arms for the 7x champion, love always existed. And Lewis Hamilton’s drive where he came from last to first stands dedicated to the plight the nation went through.
The pandemic struck us all when we weren’t expecting it all. F1 circus went hundreds of days without racing, seeing an uncertain future looming in front of us. However, there were ones much less fortunate who lost a lot more. One such country was Brazil, where millions of lost lives shook the onlookers. Next year, when Hamilton arrived at the circuit to go racing, he decided to hold the nation’s flag up to send love to everyone watching. In the video titled ‘Lewis Reacts to Iconic Moments From 10 Years With Mercedes’, Hamilton picks pictures from the iconic moments of his career in the last 10 years and takes us through the story behind them.
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via Reuters
British Formula One racing driver, Lewis Hamilton gestures next to President of the Chamber Arthur Lira, after he received the title of honorary citizen of Brazil at the Chamber of Deputies in Brasilia, Brazil November 7, 2022. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
Lewis said, “This is Brazil 2021. I think for sure my best race ever and one of probably the most special race of my career. I was so proud to hold this flag on the podium because I had watched the news through the pandemic I’d seen the horrific stories and felt so much pain for so many people around the world that were losing people to the coronavirus and obviously Brazil had lost I think it was over half a million people through that pandemic through neglect from certain individuals.”
He then added why Brazil and carrying the flag around meant so much to him. He said, “You could just tell there was so much pain within the country, and growing up I’ve always loved Ayrton Senna, so you know I’d watch him when he’s carrying a flag.”
And seeing the man do this, the stands came alive. Their son had returned home and Lewis became the person who filled the void Senna’s untimely demise had left.
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“I appreciate Ayrton,” said Lewis Hamilton remembering the legacy of Senna
Lewis Hamilton always believed that statistics and numbers don’t count. It is because Ayrton Senna was just not around anymore to showcase the masterclass and claim those numbers. While Lewis highlighted that he held up the flag to unite the nation with an emotion of love, he also wanted to tell them that he appreciates them and acknowledges the South American nation. He took saw a marshal holding the flag and grabbed it and dedicated the most special race to the country, which was set to adopt him next year.
via Getty
Ayrton Senna of Brazil sits aboard the #12 Camel Team Lotus Honda Lotus 99T Honda RA166E V6 turbo during practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix on 11th April 1987 at the Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet Jacarepagua circuit near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Getty Images)
Lewis said, “It was really just a signal to everyone within Brazil that I acknowledge you I appreciate it and I appreciate Ayrton and love Ayrton and always have since I was a kid and um you know I think I was I was hoping that I would lift up the nation in some way even though I wasn’t Brazilian so now I am Brazilian so uh yeah I think that’s about it.”
