Brazil: Lewis Hamilton Jokes About Getting Brazilian Passport: "Neymar Invites Me Every Year"
Lewis Hamilton, Formula One's seven-time world champion, expressed his excitement about becoming Brazil's honorary citizen after he joked that he is waiting for his Brazilian passport.
Hamilton made his comments while delivering his keynote speech at an event in Sao Paolo that is focused on business and digital transformation, per ESPN.
The Briton shared with the audience that he wants to spend more time in Brazil, claiming that the South American nation has a beautiful culture, according to The Daily Mail. Hamilton furthered that he was only able to visit Sao Paolo and Rio, but he would like to come back during Christmas or New Year.
"[Brazilian soccer international] 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," Hamilton joked.
Hamilton marks the latest esteemed personality to speak during Brazil's VTEX Day. ESPN shared that previous keynote speakers in the event include former U.S. President Barack Obama, former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, and British entrepreneur Richard Branson.
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Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton as Brazil's Honorary Citizen
Hamilton's joke came after a bill in Brazil's lower house is pending, aiming to make the Formula One champion an honorary citizen of the South American nation.
According to Mirror, the bill was proposed by Congressman Andre Figueredo, but the said motion has not yet been voted on by the country's lawmakers.
However, Brazil's presidential hopeful, Ciro Gomes, took to Twitter on Wednesday to claim that Hamilton is already in the hearts of the Brazilian people, and the initiative will make him even closer to them.
The bill was submitted to the lower house of Brazil's parliament, after last year's Grand Prix where Hamilton unfired the Brazilian flag when he won at Sao Paolo's Interlagos circuit, per ESPN.
During that time, the crowd chanted his name along with that of the late triple champion Ayrton Senna, a Sao Paolo racer who died in Imola in 1994.
On Wednesday, Lewis Hamilton took to Twitter to react to the news about the initiation for his citizenship in Brazil. Hamilton included a photo of an article about the move, pairing it with the caption: "I'd be honored."
The Formula One champion also tweeted an 84 Brazilian emoji flag and a photo of his last win where he hold the Brazilian flag during his victory lap.
Formula One Champion Lewis Hamilton's Love for Brazil
Lewis Hamilton is very vocal about his love for Brazil.
The Daily Mail noted that growing up, the racer idolized Brazil's Formula One icon Ayrton Senna, who won three driver's championships.
His love for Brazil is also evident in his helmets which resemble the colors of Brazil's national colors. Mirror noted that one of these helmets was used by the racer during his match in Interlagos.
Hamilton explained that the helmet design for his last year's competition was inspired by Senna.
Brazil is also where Hamilton won his first drivers' championship in 2008.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written By: Joshua Summers
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