Ayrton Senna did not win on home soil in Brazil until his eighth attempt in 1991
“He was such a huge hero in Brazil and it’s humbling that I always get such a warm response there. It’s amazing to think that it took Ayrton eight attempts to win this race and it’s one of the few I haven’t yet won myself.
“If I can change that this weekend it would be a salute to him and another highlight to add to this amazing year, so I’ll be going all out to make that happen.”
• Rossi accuses rivals of colluding to deny him world title
With the championship already wrapped up, Hamilton is facing an increasingly feisty rivalry with Nico Rosberg, his Mercedes team-mate.
While Toto Wolff, the Mercedes boss, describes it as “good for the sport” and “good for the team”, it threatens to boil over in the two remaining dead rubbers of the season.
Nico Rosberg won last year’s Brazilian GP
Rosberg won this race last season, absorbing extreme pressure for Hamilton in the final 20 laps. The German is determined to spoil Hamilton’s party fresh from winning last time out in Mexico.
“I’ve usually been pretty quick there and last year was a good battle with Lewis, when I came out on top,” Rosberg said.
“Standing on the top step after a hard-earned win, following in the footsteps of so many great drivers who have won there and with the passionate Brazilian crowd cheering on – that was a great feeling.
“I’d love to experience that again, so the aim is to put on another good show for the fans and to carry my form from Mexico into this race.”