Hamilton Discusses Secret Plans For Sao Paulo Grand Prix Weekend That Got Leaked
F1Thursday, 31 October 2024 at 18:48
Mercedes F1 driver discussed the secret surprise that he prepared for the fans in Sao Paulo related to his drive in Ayrton Senna's McLaren.
The seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who is an honorary citizen of Brazil, is supposed to drive Ayrton Senna's McLaren at Interlagos Circuit during the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
This year, it is 30 years since Ayrton Senna's tragic death at Imola in 1994. Sebastian Vettel already paid tribute to the Champion during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by driving his 1993 McLaren MP4/8.
The 39-year-old Mercedes driver will sit behind the wheel of the McLaren MP4/5B, with which Ayrton Senna won the 1990 Championship.
Sharing his feelings about the upcoming experience and how he found out about the opportunity, Hamilton told the media at Interlagos Circuit on Thursday ahead of the Grand Prix:
"I never in a million years thought I'd ever get to drive Senna's car here. So when... I remember my manager told me about it and I jumped at the opportunity."
"Back in the day when I was at McLaren, I did get the chance to drive the MP44 around Silverstone, which was incredible."
"But just the thought of driving that car around here... I remember the races when he finally won here and held the flag. It will definitely be quite an emotional experience, and I hope people are here to see it."
The seven-time World Champion discussed the surprise that he with his team wanted to prepare for the home crowd in Sao Paulo. Unfortunately, it was leaked, and now Hamilton is not even sure whether he will do it or not.
"I had a helmet made, just his helmet made for me but I don't know if we're using that one tomorrow. I think the initial hope was for it to be a surprise."
"[I would wear] an all-white suit and his helmet, and you'd go out and drive the lap, and it would just look like it was him out there. But somehow, it got out there. It's impossible to keep things quiet."
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