WATCH: Lewis Hamilton waves the Brazilian flag in Ayrton Senna’s legendary title-winning McLaren car

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton drove F1 icon Ayrton Senna's 1990 title-winning McLaren MP4/5B race car around ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. The legendary British racer paid tribute to Senna by waving the Brazilian flag while doing laps around the Autodrome Jose Carlos Pace race track in Sao Paulo.

Senna is one of the most revered names in the world of open-wheel racing. The Sao Paulo-born racer, who was known for his aggressive driving style and wet-weather racecraft, won three championship titles during the course of his career. Sadly, his life was tragically cut short during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Even years after his passing, Senna continues to inspire drivers like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Hamilton.

Ahead of the Brazilian GP, Hamilton got an opportunity to pay tribute to Senna by driving the icon's title-winning McLaren around Interlagos. While doing the final celebratory laps in the white-and-red-colored race car, the 39-year-old Briton was handed a Brazilian flag by a track-side marshall. The Mercedes-AMG driver drove the last lap in the McLaren with the flag in his hand.

A video clip of the lap was shared on X by a Hamilton and Mercedes fan page. Here's a look at the post, captioned:

"THEY’VE HANDED HIM THE FLAG! THEY HANDED LEWIS HAMILTON THE BRAZILIAN FLAG!!"

Hamilton expressed his excitement during a media interaction after the drive.

"It’s very, very emotional, naturally. I was just revisiting my childhood as I was watching (Ayrton Senna) race here as a kid. Hearing that sound and… watching him drive here, winning that race, I just couldn’t believe that I just had that chance to do that, and it was really the greatest honour of my career," he said.

"To do it here in front of this beautiful crowd here in Brazil, who stood out in the rain all day yesterday, and then have been here since 4am or 3am this morning… A very, very special day and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made this happen," Hamilton added.

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“Pretty bad" - Lewis Hamilton reacts to Qualifying struggles ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton managed to Qualify 16th for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Mercedes-AMG star expressed his frustration with his W15 race car during the mandatory media interaction.

"Pretty bad, but it’s the same as every qualifying for me, not that I’m happy about it. I just don’t have any confidence in the car so a big struggle for me," Hamilton commented.

"(F)P1 was like Baku 2022 for us down the straight, it was hitting so hard so we did lift the car. It was a little bit better in terms of it wasn’t hitting the deck so badly, so I wasn’t in pain or anything like that. The thing’s hopping through all the corners so the thing’s very hard to drive," he added, explaining his struggles.

As of now, Hamilton is placed sixth in the 2024 driver's table, ahead of his teammate George Russell.