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Lewis Hamilton's Nostalgia for Senna's 1988 F1 Car Revealed

Hamilton Favours Classic F1 Over Modern, Praises Senna’s ’88

10/08/2024

Lewis Hamilton lauds old-school F1, particularly idolising Ayrton Senna’s iconic 1988 car as he reflects on his illustrious career with Mercedes.

From 2013 to the present, Lewis Hamilton has enjoyed perhaps an unparalleled and unexpected level of success with Mercedes F1. The former McLaren driver has penned the most illustrious chapters in the history of the German manufacturer within the elite sphere of motorsport.

Although he is set to join Ferrari next year, Lewis Hamilton will undoubtedly remain deeply connected to the Mercedes team, where he has been more than just a driver, but also a leader and ambassador.

But what if he had the opportunity to swap roles with someone in the team, to participate in a ‘Walk in My Shoes’ episode at Mercedes F1? Which job would Lewis Hamilton have liked to try his hand at within Mercedes F1?

“I would probably say Toto’s, because he’s the boss!”

“Being the boss for a day would be fantastic. To be the boss of everyone!”

Of all the F1 cars Lewis Hamilton has driven throughout his career, which is his favourite? His victorious 2008 car? A triumphant Mercedes F1 from the hybrid era?

Well no, it turns out to be… Ayrton Senna’s MP4/4 (from 1988), which he had the opportunity to drive in 2009 on the show ‘Top Gear’.

“My favourite was when I drove Ayrton Senna’s MP4/4. But Senna’s McLaren in 1993 driven by Seb (Vettel) at Imola, that was something else.”

“I think the cars from that era were much less aerodynamically efficient. It was more like karting back then because they literally had huge, massive tyres with mechanical grip.”

Lewis Hamilton’s Favourite Moment in F1

Finally, among all his favourite moments, the most poignant Grand Prix experiences in F1, which would Hamilton choose? His first, his latest title? His first win in Canada in 2007? No: Lewis chooses the moment he signed with McLaren to enter F1.

“We couldn’t believe it, there were so many dark and difficult moments where we really thought it was over and it wouldn’t happen, but we never gave up.”

“When I won my first race in Montreal, seeing my dad on the podium reassured me that all the sleepless nights, the travels we had made, the adversity we had faced, it was all worth it.”

Lewis Hamilton's Nostalgia for Senna's 1988 F1 Car Revealed

Lewis Hamilton’s Nostalgia for Senna’s 1988 F1 Car Revealed Lewis Hamilton’s Nostalgia for Senna’s 1988 F1 Car Revealed

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