Lewis Hamilton Wins Honorary Citizenship of Brazil

This Thursday (9), the Chamber of Deputies enacted a resolution that gives the British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton the title of honorary citizen of Brazil.

The tribute must be delivered in a solemn session, but there is no date set yet.

The resolution (PRC 79/21) was suggested by deputy André Figueiredo (PDT-CE), and received a favorable opinion from the rapporteur in plenary, deputy Jhonatan de Jesus (Republicans-RR).

In the justification, Figueiredo argues that during a race in November 2021, at the Interlagos circuit, in São Paulo, Hamilton paid tribute to Brazilian Ayrton Senna with the national colors “which the Brazilian driver represented so well”.

“At the end of the race, Hamilton repeated Senna when he carried the Brazilian flag in a consecration lap around the circuit and raised the national pavilion on the podium during the awards ceremony. This gesture of respect for the memory of the greatest Brazilian pilot had repercussions on each and every one of our citizens”, says the text.

The deputy’s document also states that “Senna was not just a pilot, but he represented the image of a Brazil that worked, that won, that was seen positively by the world. He was our pride as he reminded us of our potential”.

The title of honorary citizenship makes the person awarded a “countryman”, a person from the homeland. Even if an honoree was not born or does not reside in the country.

Faced with the justification, Figueredo says he believes that sport and the celebration of national victories can help “help to rescue our flag as a symbol of national union”.

“We hope that this gesture will help us in the process of national reconciliation and the resumption of our national symbols as the heritage of all Brazilians”, argues the deputy.