An emotional ride: Hamilton pays tribute in Senna's iconic McLaren

SAO PAULO — British driver Lewis Hamilton has won seven Formula One titles, holds multiple records and has clocked some of the fastest laps in history. But the greatest honor of his career, according to the 39-year-old, came on Sunday as he drove the late Ayrton Senna's title-winning car around Interlagos ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Some fans in the stands had tears in their eyes as Hamilton knelt in front of the car in reverence.

Wearing an all white racing suit, Hamilton took some laps under falling rain in the historic McLaren MP4/5B that Senna drove during his 1990 title campaign, in which he beat Ferrari's Alain Prost. The Mercedes driver was shown the checkered flag by Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Rebeca Andrade, as he carried a Brazilian flag with his right hand, mimicking the legendary three-time champion's victory celebration.