In a festive ceremony, Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton received the title of honorary citizen of Brazil in the Brazilian Congress.
“Now I can finally say that I’m one of you,” said Hamilton, according to the Brazilian news portal “G1”, after receiving the award in the capital Brasília to great cheers from the MPs.
“I love Brazil, I’ve always loved Brazil.” Now the South American country is officially another home of Hamilton.
Brazilian Formula 1 icon Ayrton Senna is Hamilton’s role model. He won the first of his seven world titles in Sao Paulo in 2008. After his win at Interlagos last season, Hamilton celebrated with a Brazilian flag on the podium. Congressman Andre Figueiredo then proposed making the Briton an honorary citizen of Brazil.
The racing driver has been allowed to call himself Sir Lewis since the end of last year. At that time he was knighted at Windsor Castle by the heir to the throne at the time, Prince Charles.
The Brazilian Grand Prix is scheduled for next Sunday in Sao Paulo.