Lewis Hamilton "honoured" by Brazilian citizenship offer

Hamilton in Brazil — Photo: © LAT Images

Lewis Hamilton

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Hamilton "honoured" by Brazilian citizenship offer

Hamilton unfurled the Brazilian flag after taking victory in last year's race at Interlagos

Sam Hall

Thursday 14 April 2022 10:35

Lewis Hamilton has claimed to be "honoured" to have received the offer of honorary citizenship in Brazil.

Hamilton has made no secret of his love for Brazil since joining the F1 grid in 2007 and has talked often about how three-time champion Ayrton Senna is his idol.

The proposal to make the seven-time champion an honourary citizen was made by congressman Andre Figueiredo after Hamilton unfurled a Brazilian flag after taking victory in last year's Interlagos race.

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A vote on the bill is yet to take place in the lower house of the Brazilian parliament, but member of Figueiredo’s PDT party and presidential hopeful Ciro Gomes has wholeheartedly backed the motion.

“Hamilton, you already live in our hearts," wrote Gomes on social media.

"With the honorary citizenship, you will be even closer to us."

Responding to Gomes' comments on social media, Hamilton said simply: "I'd be honoured."

I’d be honoured ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SRintT4Y9s
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 13, 2022

Hamilton 'waiting on my passport'

Hamilton travelled from Kuala Lumpur, where he had spent time with Mercedes sponsor Petronas since the Australian Grand Prix, to Sao Paulo on Wednesday to make a keynotes speech at the VTEX Day event for business and digital transformation.

Previous speakers at the event include former United States President Barack Obama and founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson.

"I want to spend more time here in Brazil," said Hamilton. "It is such a beautiful culture.

"I’ve only been to Rio and Sao Paulo, but I want to come back for Christmas, New Year or something.

"[Brazilian footballer] Neymar invites me every year, and [surfer] Gabriel [Medina] invites me every year, but I never had the chance...I’m waiting for my Brazilian passport."