F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Hamilton helmet in Brazil sparkles with Senna tribute

As has been the case on several occasions in Brazil in the past, Lewis Hamilton revealed a new Ayrton Senna tribute helmet at Interlagos.

The six-time world champion has blended his own design with Senna's famous colors, adding six stars on each side to reflect his six world titles.

"It is kind of a salute to him, but also there are no Brazilian drivers here and I know how much Brazil misses Ayrton," Hamilton asid when he unveiled the new lid.

"So it is cool to just bring it back this year, as that’s the guy that inspired me to do what I do."

 

The legendary Brazilian driver, who lost his life at Imola in 1994, was a massive inspiration for Hamilton during his childhood and early years in the sport.

"Superman is my favourite superhero, and I wanted to be Superman, and I saw Ayrton doing what he was doing and the way he stood up for himself," explained the Briton.

"As a young boy in Stevenage, I was constantly confronted with bullying and it was great to see someone stand up for themselves, for their beliefs, his never-give-up attitude, his aggressive driving style that he had and his sheer skill was to be admired and that inspired me to do, as a person something like that, to stand-up for myself."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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