British F1 driver, Lewis Hamilton became a honorary citizen of Brazil in 2022 before the Brazilian Grand Prix. But what does this mean for Hamilton and why was this done?
Lewis Hamilton was a British citizen by birth but was awarded honorary citizenship in Brazil in 2022. Hamilton was very proud to call himself an honorary citizen of Brazil. After all, he won his first World Championship in Brazil in 2008. Ironically, he defeated another Brazilian, Felipe Massa to win the championship. Despite this fact, the fans in Brazil love Lewis Hamilton.
Why did Brazil decide to give Lewis Hamilton honorary citizenship?
Brazil is one of Lewis Hamilton’s favorite countries. He has always expressed his love and affection for the country. After he was awarded the honorary citizenship, he had this to say about Brazil:
“There’s a lot of energy, music, color and I’ve had over the years amazing times there. I won my first World Championship in Brazil and 14 years later, whatever it is, the epic race that I had there last year and the moment I had with the Brazilian flag, so that’s my like biggest following is in Brazil. So I’m very, very honored and grateful and can’t wait to spend more time there.”
Growing up, Lewis Hamilton idolized Ayrton Senna. He always spoke very highly of him. This was one of the main reasons that Hamilton was awarded honorary citizenship in Brazil. Lewis Hamilton even had a similar helmet design to Ayrton Senna during his early years in Formula 1.
A once in a lifetime moment. @LewisHamilton opens up about his special relationship to Ayrton Senna’s @F1 legacy… pic.twitter.com/jWnCnjLUu1
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) June 10, 2017
After equaling Ayrton Senna for most pole positions, the Senna family awarded Lewis Hamilton with one of Senna’s helmets.
“Obviously, following Ayrton [Senna], and you’re naturally drawn to the country, but through my life, just meeting more and more Brazilian resilience and knowing more about the culture and the community and it’s very, very diverse there.”
After winning the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2021, Hamilton went on the podium holding a Brazilian flag as the fans cheered him on. This moment sparked the conversations which led to Lewis Hamilton receiving his honorary citizenship in 2022.
Hamilton’s reaction to being an honorary citizen of Brazil
After receiving his citizenship, Lewis Hamilton had this to say:
“I’d like to say a big, big thank you to everyone here at the house, for all those who’ve moved mountains to make this day possible. It is honestly the greatest honor for me to be here receiving and accepting this citizenship. I really do feel like now I’m one of you, finally.”
“[I was] surprised like everyone else yesterday when I heard about it. No one contacted me and told me we just heard about it in the news. I’ve not heard of that happening. I’m sure it does in other places, but Brazil has always been a place that I’ve loved and admired as a kid.”
Lewis Hamilton has won 3 Grand Prix in the famous Interlagos Circuit over his career. Hamilton will be aiming to increase this number along with his Championships numbers. Lewis has always received a warm welcome in Brazil over the years. If Hamilton is able to win his 8th Championship in Brazil, the crowd is going to go nuts. It will surely be an iconic moment for the 7-time world champion.