Lewis Hamilton received on Monday from Brazil's Congress his honorary citizenship, a distinction that he dedicated to his hero, the great Ayrton Senna.
In June, the lower House of Brazil's parliament passed a bill awarding an honorary citizenship to Hamilton, but the merit was officially bestowed upon the Mercedes driver in a ceremony in Brasilia organized ahead of next weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.
Brazilian congressman Andre Figueiredo had proposed the honorary citizenship bill last year after Hamilton's dominant drive in the 2021 race when he achieved his third career win at Interlagos.
"It is a great honor to get this title today. Now I can finally say I am one of you," said an emotional Hamilton during Monday's ceremony.
"I love Brazil, I have always loved Brazil."
While highlighting his long-standing affinity for Brazil, the seven-time F1 world champion naturally referenced the man who sits in his heart as his greatest sporting hero.
"I want to dedicate this honor to my hero Ayrton Senna," Hamilton added.
Lower House Speaker Arthur Lira said Hamilton "is a hero for all Brazilians" and "a Briton by birth and a Brazilian by heart."
"Brazilian role models like Senna and Hamilton make us sure that every Brazilian can overcome challenges and win the races in life," Lira said.
"I hope you return many times to this country that is also your country now."
Lewis Hamilton was awarded an honorary citizenship of Brazil in Brasilia 🏅🇧🇷pic.twitter.com/wUvI8boNtS
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) November 8, 2022
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