Lewis Hamilton could soon become an honorary citizen of Brazil, the birthplace of his childhood hero, Ayrton Senna. Hamilton has long held a strong affiliation with the South American country and has sported the nation's colours (yellow, green and blue) on his helmet design throughout his F1 career, inspired by Senna. After taking victory at the 2021 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Stevenage-born racer held aloft a Brazilian flag as he celebrated his third win at Interlagos. Hamilton's success in the country comes during an era in which there are no full-time Brazilian drivers on the F1 grid. Rubens Barrichello was the last Brazilian driver to win a race in F1 back in 2009, with the last World Champion to hail from Brazil being Senna in 1991. But the country could be set to claim the success of Hamilton, with a prominent politician pushing to make the Mercedes driver an honorary Brazilian.
Hamilton bill yet to be voted on
The first to push for Hamilton to be awarded honorary Brazilian citizenship was by congressman André Figueiredo following the 2021 Sao Paulo GP. Democratic Labor Party Vice-President Ciro Gomes has since given the motion his backing as he took to social media to say: "Hamilton, you already live in our hearts. With this title, you will be even closer to us." In response, Hamilton himself posted a number of Brazil flags on his social media accounts before adding: "I'd be honoured." A bill to make Hamilton an honorary citizen is pending in the lower house of Brazilian parliament. It has not yet been voted on.
https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/1514280286862852102
I’d be honoured ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SRintT4Y9s — Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 13, 2022
Hamilton jokes: I'm waiting for my passport
Hamilton is currently visiting Brazil ahead of the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix and this week joked, speaking to Reuters : "I'm waiting for my Brazilian passport. "I want to spend more time here in Brazil. It is such a beautiful culture. I've only been to Rio and Sao Paulo, but I want to come back for Christmas, New Year or something. "(Footballer) Neymar invites me every year, and (Surfer) Gabriel [Medina] invites me every year, but I never had the chance."
Hamilton set to change name
Hamilton is also in the process of changing his name so as to include a reference to his mother, Carmen Larbalestier. The 37-year-old has raced bearing the surname of his father, Anthony, since his career began, with no nod to his mother. But speaking at the 2022 Dubai Expo , Hamilton explained how he does not understand why marriage should typically prevent a woman's surname from being passed down. "I really want my mum to continue on with the Hamilton name. Hopefully soon... we are working on it," he said.
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