Lewis Hamilton‘s reverence for Ayrton Senna is no new information for F1 fans. Not only does he consider Senna to be the reason why he took up motor racing as a career, but also the reason why he loves Brazil so much. Recognizing his love for the nation, last year, the Brazilian government presented the Briton with honorary citizenship last year. Now, the Parliament has passed a law that will honor his idol’s memory for many years to come.

It is not just Lewis who is a big fan of Senna, the Brazilian great’s family replicates the sentiment back as well. Senna’s family presented Hamilton with a replica of his 1987 helmet in 2017. Overcome with emotions, Lewis kissed the helmet and held it up for the fans at the Canadian GP to see. Just recently, he remembered the former 3-time F1 champion with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.

Brazilian government honors Ayrton Senna by passing a historic law

Despite his tragic death back in 1994, Senna still holds a special place in the hearts of the Brazilian masses. While the country is a major soccer-loving nation, a big reason why it holds motor racing close to its heart is because of the charisma Ayrton exuded. To honor that sentiment, the Brazilian government passed a law that recognizes him as the national patron of sport.

As per Formula Passion, “The bill was presented in 2019 by Liberal MP Filipe Barros . After various passages in the classroom, the definitive text was approved by the federal Senate in March, while the vice president of Brazil Geraldo Alckmin promulgated it yesterday. Today the publication in the Official Gazette has arrived and – therefore – the law will become effective.” [Translated using Google]

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The move will certainly please Hamilton as well who wholeheartedly dedicated his honorary citizenship to Ayrton.

When Lewis Hamilton dedicated his honorary citizenship to Senna

Hamilton’s exploits during the 2021 Brazilian GP stand the tallest among all his race wins. Owing to a minor infringement of the regulations governing the rear wing structure, the FIA penalized him by putting him behind the grid. What followed was one of the greatest displays of aggressive yet elegant driving F1 has ever witnessed. The Stevenage-born, over the course of the Sprint race and the Main Race, progressed up the field. After winning the race, he wrapped himself with the Brazilian flag on the podium. That sight was enough for the nation to confirm that he was worthy of the honor that they bestowed upon him after a year.

When they honored him in an elaborate ceremony, Hamilton said, “I really want to dedicate today, this honor, to Ayrton Senna. To Ayrton’s family, to his friends, and to his fans. For me, when I was five years old, I saw Ayrton race for the first time. And that was the moment I knew, that I wanted to be world champion, just like him.”

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What do you think of the Brazilian government’s inspiring tribute honoring the nation’s favorite son?