Lewis Hamilton reveals childhood F1 Sundays saw adoration grow for racing legend

Lewis Hamilton looks at the camera during a social media video for Mercedes — Photo: © LAT Images

F1 Legends

Hamilton reveals childhood F1 Sundays saw ADORATION grow for racing legend

The heartwarming story of how Ayrton Senna was a childhood inspiration to another F1 legend

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Sunday 29 October 2023 13:35

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Lewis Hamilton has revealed he watched Formula 1 from as young as four years old and described Sunday afternoons as 'some of his best childhood memories'.

It was during that time that he grew to idolise Ayrton Senna - the flamboyant Brazilian superstar who tragically died in a crash at Imola in 1994.

The seven-time world champion consumed everything he could of Senna's and it instilled a love of the sport which remains undimmed even in an under-par Mercedes car at the age of 38.

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He is currently sat in third place in the drivers' championship, and earlier this season signed a new contract that will keep him in the sport into his 40s.

Lewis Hamilton has often spoke of the influence Ayrton Senna had on his career

The late, great Ayrton Senna was Lewis Hamilton's childhood hero

Hamilton: I had all of Senna's books

Hamilton has a joint record seven world championships, a record 103 race victories, and another record 104 pole positions across a phenomenal career, and will go down as one of the most successful drivers in the sport's history.

Now, the Brit has revealed that the close bond he has formed with his dad was partly through watching Senna together on a Sunday afternoon in front of the TV.

Those Sundays spent with his father Anthony, watching the great man compete, helped give the young and energetic an outlet - and cemented Hamilton's own passion for racing.