Lewis Hamilton could become citizen of Brazil pending parliament vote

Things you didn't expect to hear

Lewis Hamilton could be made an honorary citizen of Brazil subject to a vote from the South American nation's parliament.

Hamilton has a strong love for Brazil

Hamilton, 37, has made his love for Brazil well known over the years and has previously donned the nation's flag on his helmet when racing at the country's Interlagos circuit. The seven-time world champion also took a Brazilian flag with him onto the podium when celebrating his win in 2021. After wearing the flag on his helmet last year too, Hamilton explained it was a tribute to one of Brazil's finest Formula One drivers, Ayrton Senna. "It was the way he raced, his passion for life and for the sport," he said about Senna, who he admitted is his biggest inspiration. "But more than anything it was the way he faced alone a system that wasn't always kind to him." But his affinity to the nation may grow even stronger as a bill to make Hamilton an honorary citizen of Brazil is pending in the lower house of Brazilian parliament, however a vote on it has yet to take place.

Hamilton has promised to visit more regularly

Congressman Andre Figueiredo made the proposal last year, while Hamilton himself has promised that he will visit the country more regularly, adding that some of the country's biggest stars have even invited him. "I want to spend more time in Brazil. There is such a beautiful culture here. I've only been to Rio (de Janeiro) and Sao Paulo, but I want to come back here for Christmas, New Year or something like that," he once told Reuters. "Neymar invites me every year, and [pro surfer] Gabriel [Medina] invites me every year, but I never had the chance - I’m waiting for my Brazilian passport." While no confirmation on his citizenship has been made, Hamilton didn't hide his desire for the dream to become a reality. In two Twitter posts on Wednesday, the 37-year-old posted a number of Brazilian flags and also said he would be "honoured" to become a Brazilian citizen. https://twitter.com/LewisHamilton/status/1514276961543151624 Related links:

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