Ayrton was my superhero.. he taught me how to stand up to bullies CHAMP HAMILTON PAYS TRIBUTE TO CHILDHOOD IDOL SENNA WITH NEW CRASH HELMET IN MEMORY OF BRAZILIAN STAR

LEWIS HAMILTON will wear a special crash helmet at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix to honour his childhood hero Ayrton Senna.

Hamilton returns to action for the first time since he secured a sixth world title in Austin two weeks ago.

But it is 25 years – and not a fortnight – which has been on the British star’s mind for the penultimate race of the season.

Brazilian Senna died after crashing at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994, and it is not just for his pursuits on the track that Hamilton holds him in such high esteem.

Hamilton said:

“He was my favourite superhero.

“As a kid, I saw

Ayrton on TV doing something great just as

I saw Superman

“I saw Ayrton standing up for himself, and, as a young boy growing up in

Stevenage who was constantly confronted with bullying, it was great to see someone standing up for themselves, seeing his beliefs and his never-say-die attitude.”

Hamilton is now 34, the same age as triple world champion Senna when he died.

Senna won the Brazilian Grand Prix on two occasions – in 1991 and 1993 – and Hamilton will look for his third triumph after victory in 2016 and then last year. Hamilton’s success has led to Motorsport UK chairman David Richards saying he will be disappointed if the Briton is not recognised with a knighthood in the New Year honours.

Former Labour minister Lord Hain has written to Downing Street, calling on Hamilton to be rewarded with an upgrade on the MBE he received 11 years ago.

“I would be rather disappointed if Lewis is not acknowledged for what he has achieved,” said Richards.

“Motor racing has had its fair share of accolades over the years.

“Lewis is our latest hero and he has surpassed anything we have ever had in the sport

“It is only right that he should be acknowledged, too.” In a damp first practice in Brazil yesterday, Red Bull’s Alexander Albon set the pace in before crashing into the tyre wall and bringing the session to a premature end.

The British-born Thai rookie, confirmed earlier in the week by his team for 2020 alongside Dutch star Max Verstappen, lapped the Interlagos circuit with a best time of one minute 16.142 seconds on intermediate tyres.

Albon then paid the price for switching to slicks on a drying track, bringing out the red flags with two-and-a-half minutes remaining after skidding out near the still slippery last corner.

Finn Valtteri Bottas was second quickest in his Mercedes, 0.551 slower, with Hamilton one of four drivers who completed laps but without setting times on a wet morning in Sao Paulo.