Lewis Hamilton will drive Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/5B at Interlagos

Lewis Hamilton will pay tribute to Ayrton Senna during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend in 2024 by driving the McLaren MP4/5B with which the Brazilian won the world title in 1990. The demonstration will take place on Saturday after the sprint and qualifying of the Grand Prix, as part of the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the Brazilian driver’s death. The McLaren MP4/5B had notably helped Senna to achieve six victories and five podium finishes in 1990, including one at Interlagos.

Speaking at Thursday’s press conference, Hamilton said that each visit to Brazil is an opportunity to pay tribute to Ayrton Senna, and that many drivers share this sentiment, adding: “But I would have never imagined being able to drive Senna’s car here. When my manager told me about it, I immediately seized the opportunity.”

Hamilton also revealed that his taking over of Senna’s McLaren MP4/5B was initially supposed to remain secret to the spectators’ great surprise: « We were hoping that it would be a surprise at first. I had planned to wear a helmet with his colors and a white jumpsuit. The idea was for me to do a lap and it would give the impression that it was him on the track. But somehow, the information leaked. It’s impossible to keep these kinds of things secret. »

It will definitely be an emotional experience.

This is not the first time that the seven-time Formula 1 world champion has driven an Ayrton Senna McLaren, as he recalled: « When I was at McLaren, I had the opportunity to drive the MP4/4 at Silverstone, it was incredible. But just the idea of driving this car here… I remember the races when he finally won here and waved the flag. It will definitely be an emotional experience, and I hope people will be there to see it. A replica of his helmet has been created for me, but I don’t know if we will use it tomorrow.

Honorary citizen of Brazil since 2022 and a three-time winner at Interlagos, Hamilton has never hidden his admiration for Senna, whom he has always described as his childhood hero. The British driver’s special connection with Brazil and Senna’s legacy make this tribute all the more significant.

On the technical aspect of the demonstration, the British champion was enthusiastic about the idea of ​​driving a manual transmission car. “I was really good when I was younger, and when I drove the MP4/4, I did very well,” he explained. “It’s something I miss. I regret that we don’t have that anymore in Formula 1. Two pedals aren’t exciting, they should bring back the H-pattern gearbox. It was great.”

A weekend of tributes under the sign ‘Senna Sempre’

Hamilton’s demonstration is part of a larger framework of the celebrations of Senna Sempre (Senna Forever) that will mark the entire Brazil Grand Prix weekend. The manufacturer Pirelli has planned several initiatives, such as the pole position trophy in the colors of Brazil, as well as a special podium cap with the Senna logo for the top three finishers of the Grand Prix on Sunday.

For Pirelli, this initiative aims to honor a driver who will remain forever in the memory not only of all Brazilians but also of all Formula 1 fans.

Other tributes to Ayrton Senna were paid earlier this year, notably by Sebastian Vettel who had driven the McLaren MP4/8 at Imola. The four-time world champion had honored the memory of the Austrian Simtek driver, Roland Ratzenberger, who passed away the same weekend as Senna.

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The McLaren team had also celebrated Senna's memory at the Monaco Grand Prix with a special livery in the colors yellow, black, and blue, reminiscent of Senna's iconic helmet colors.