How Lewis Hamilton managed to ‘master’ one thing Ayrton Senna did well in F1

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Lewis Hamilton has enjoyed the greatest career of any driver in the history of Formula 1 and is looking to add to his accolades in 2025.

He joins Ferrari in a bid to win a record eighth Drivers’ Championship and seal his position as the undisputed number one above the likes of Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.

Hamilton has been absent from the title battle over the last year due to Mercedes’ inability to fully understand the current technical regulations.

He joins a team that missed out on the Constructors’ Championship just 14 points after a tantalising Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale in 2024.

Hamilton has already requested one adjustment to his Ferrari car as he attempts to get comfortable with his new surroundings before the start of the season.

He has less than two months before the Australian Grand Prix kicks off the 24-race campaign for the first time since 2019.

How Lewis Hamilton managed to ‘master’ Ayrton Senna’s driving traits

Growing up, Hamilton’s main Formula 1 idol was three-time Brazilian champion Senna, who is renowned for being one of the greatest in the history of the sport.

A tragic accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix cut his career and life short, but he would have gone on to achieve more if it hadn’t been for his unfortunate crash.

Hamilton looked up to him so much that he tried to emulate his driving style, and admitted before winning his six titles with Mercedes in 2013, that he wanted to master Senna’s technique.

READ MORE: Why Lewis Hamilton once felt he had a ‘connection’ with F1 legend Ayrton Senna

“I drove one of Ayrton Senna’s cars, the 1989, for a few laps around the national circuit at Silverstone once,” he told the Daily Mail. “It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

“Senna, Gilles Villeneuve — they were very similar. That’s what I wanted to adopt, I wanted to be like them, and I think I drive now in the way I imagine Senna would drive.

“That’s the only way I know. They were the best, what they did was the best, and I want to master it as well.”

How Lewis Hamilton has honoured Ayrton Senna’s F1 career in recent times

Hamilton drove Senna’s legendary 1990 McLaren car at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last year in wet conditions – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

It nearly didn’t happen due to rain but he was able to get on track to the cheers of thousands of adoring fans in stormy conditions.

Hamilton’s favourite F1 moment was Senna’s pole lap at the 1990 Monaco Grand Prix, where the Brazilian driver beat his nearest rival Alain Prost by over half a second.

READ MORE: Guenther Steiner shares why Lewis Hamilton needs the ‘pressure’ at Ferrari ahead of 2025 title fight

Getting the opportunity to drive that car at his idol’s home circuit will have left a mark on the seven-time champion and will be something that he will remember for a long time.

After revealing a striking yellow design during his first week with his new team, Hamilton admitted his first Ferrari helmet has nothing to do with Senna, insisting that he used the colour throughout his career.