Why Senna's fans adopted Hamilton

The biggest cheers were always going to be reserved for Felipe Massa, but there were times over the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend when it was hard to believe that Lewis Hamilton was not a home-town hero too.

The cheers he got from fans whenever he was on track, the banners in the grandstands urging him on, and the warmth he was afforded by everyone, were on a level where you could be forgiven for thinking he had grown up in the favelas of Sao Paulo rather than an housing estate in Stevenage.

For the man who so famously denied Massa that world title in 2008 at this very track, it may seem strange that he is now worshipped by the locals - but there is one simple reason that they love him so much: Ayrton Senna.

Twenty years on from the death of Senna at Imola, the grip the legendary three-time champion has over F1 in Brazil remains strong.

Flags bearing his name, T-shirts emblazoned with images of his face, and replica Senna helmets are everywhere. And, in Hamilton, the fans have found someone who not only adored their true hero, but carries much of his spirit too.

Senna's nephew Bruno said there was little surprise that the boy from Hertfordshire had become so loved by the passionate Brazilian fans.

"Lewis has always expressed his admiration for and just how inspired he was by Ayrton," said Bruno. "Brazilians really like that because it is quite humble of him to show much of that. He has, of course, a real fighter's spirit too that people really appreciate, which is why they are supporting him so much."

Senna has always been an inspiration for Hamilton © LAT

Hamilton is a self-confessed Senna fan, and chose similar colours to Senna's helmet for his own headgear early in his career, which is why he felt so touched by the enthusiasm shown to him by the Brazilians.

"When I was younger I would come home and put this one particular video on: Racing Is In My Blood," said Hamilton. "I would watch that God knows how many times. Senna really inspired me as a kid and he still does today.

"What he achieved, I have always said I would love to be like him or to emulate him as a driver. And the fact that these days every now and then people put the Hamilton name in the same sentence as his, I feel really proud and honoured.

"I come here and I still feel his presence here. It is amazing he still lives on through all his fans, and through the country. And that is one of the single most special things I have seen anywhere."

But it is not just at Interlagos that Senna's presence remains fully felt, for perhaps his greatest legacy is situated on the top floors of an office building in downtown Sao Paulo.

The Ayrton Senna Institute continues to go from strength to strength, assisting education projects throughout Brazil. Since being founded in 1994 it has helped more than two million young people, having prepared 64,000 teachers in 1200 cities.

And yet the Institute would not achieve the continued success it has were it not for the hold that Senna still has over the sport in which he made his name.

His personality, his good looks and the passion with which he went about his driving have turned him into one of the most iconic figures in the history of Formula 1, and anything that is associated with him shares such special status.

Twenty years on from his untimely death, the legend just keeps on growing. That ongoing adoration for Senna, the impact he still has on every single person at Interlagos, is now being channelled on the track through Hamilton.

For Bruno Senna, though, the ultimate seal of approval came from Ayrton's mother Neide Senna da Silva ahead of the weekend.

"She said she was rooting for Lewis for this race - my grandma!" he smiled. "I tell you, that is something..."