Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has been granted his honorary Brazilian citizenship ahead of the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. The three-time Brazilian GP winner was awarded the honorary status in a ceremony in the country's capital city, Brasilia. A push to grant Hamilton honorary citizenship was made by congressman André Figueiredo following Hamilton's 2021 victory, with the bill officially being passed earlier this year. Hamilton's affinity with Brazil began with watching childhood hero Ayrton Senna win his home race in 1991 and 1993. He made more memories at the Interlagos Circuit by taking the first of his seven championships in a dramatic season finale in 2008. He had to wait until 2016 for his first Brazilian GP win, following that up with success in 2018 and 2021.
Hamilton "honoured" to receive citizenship
Adorned in a blue suit, Hamilton received the award in a ceremony ahead of the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. "It is a great honour to be here and to receive citizenship. I really feel like I'm one of you, finally," Hamilton said at the ceremony. "I have so many amazing memories of Brazil. "Particularly 2021, knowing you guys would cheer me all the way was one of the most special moments of my entire life. I can't wait for us to continue to strive ahead. "I want to dedicate this honour to Ayrton Senna, his family, his friends and his fans. "When I was five years old, I saw Ayrton racing for the first time and that was the moment when I knew that I wanted to be World Champion just like him." Watch a video of the ceremony below:
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