Lewis&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;would love to celebrate his honorary Brazilian citizenship with a winning return this weekend to Sao Paulo's Interlagos, the circuit where last year he enjoyed one of his greatest victories. Formula One's seven-times world champion is still chasing his first success of the season and to do it in the penultimate race, at the home of his late boyhood idol Ayrton Senna, would be quite something.

"I need all the energy we can get, OK? We've got to get that Brazilian flag up on top (of the podium),"&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;told local reporters at an event with team sponsor Petronas on Wednesday. The 37-year-old Briton is battling against the odds, however. "On paper, it shouldn't be quite as strong a circuit for us as Mexico, but regardless, we want to keep up our momentum from recent races. So, we will keep working hard to hopefully be in the mix once again," said his Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

Hamilton, who has won in every season since his debut in 2007, finished second in the previous race in Mexico. He has triumphed three times in Brazil, including two of the last three races at Interlagos, and accepted honorary citizenship this week. Formula One currently has no Brazilian driver and the last home winner was Felipe Massa in 2008, when&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;won his first title with McLaren.

SPRINT FORMAT

Last year's race, like this weekend's, was run to the sprint format and&nbsp;Hamilton&nbsp;went from last on the grid on Saturday to fifth at the finish, then taking a five-place drop for Sunday's main event and roaring back from 10th to win. "It's a track that both of our drivers have typically gone well at and it's a sprint race where we can pick up more points," said Mercedes' strategy chief James Vowles. "And when you have a car within a few tenths of your competition, you can make things happen."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/f1-legend-michael-schumachers-ferrari-fetches-record-15-million-at-auction-532774">F1 legend Michael Schumacher's Ferrari fetches record $15 million at auction</a>

With both titles won by Max Verstappen and Red Bull, Mercedes are fighting Ferrari for second place. The Italians are 40 points ahead with 96 available from Brazil and the final round in Abu Dhabi. Plenty is at stake from the last two races, with the division of revenues decided by the positions in the constructors' standings.

Renault-owned Alpine and McLaren are separated by only seven points in the battle for fourth while Aston Martin are four behind sixth-placed Alfa Romeo. Haas, in eighth, are a point clear of Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri.

"Thanks to the Sprint format we have two attempts in which to score points and extend our lead to McLaren heading into the final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi," said Alpine's double world champion Fernando Alonso. At the top, Verstappen will be seeking to extend his record tally of wins in a season to 15 while Red Bull are eyeing a 10th win in a row. If they succeed, the final Sunday at Yas Marina could see Red Bull equal McLaren's 1988 record of 11 successive wins in a single season and send them into 2023 chasing Ferrari's all-time best of 14 in 1952-53.

"While the focus has, for sure, already shifted to next year with the car, we also focus on the car we have at the moment," said Verstappen, who won the season's two previous sprints, after Mexico. "We try to win the next two races, that's for sure."

Lewis Hamilton would love to celebrate his honorary Brazilian citizenship with a winning return this weekend to Sao Paulo's Interlagos, the circuit where last year he enjoyed one of his greatest victories.

Lewis Hamilton would love to celebrate his honorary Brazilian citizenship with a winning return this weekend to Sao Paulo's Interlagos, the circuit where last year he enjoyed one of his greatest victories. Formula One's seven-times world champion is still chasing his first success of the season and to do it in the penultimate race, at the home of his late boyhood idol Ayrton Senna, would be quite something. "I need all the energy we can get, OK? We've got to get that Brazilian flag up on top (of the podium)," Hamilton told local reporters at an event with team sponsor Petronas on Wednesday. The 37-year-old Briton is battling against the odds, however. "On paper, it shouldn't be quite as strong a circuit for us as Mexico, but regardless, we want to keep up our momentum from recent races. So, we will keep working hard to hopefully be in the mix once again," said his Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. Hamilton, who has won in every season since his debut in 2007, finished second in the previous race in Mexico. He has triumphed three times in Brazil, including two of the last three races at Interlagos, and accepted honorary citizenship this week. Formula One currently has no Brazilian driver and the last home winner was Felipe Massa in 2008, when Hamilton won his first title with McLaren. SPRINT FORMAT Last year's race, like this weekend's, was run to the sprint format and Hamilton went from last on the grid on Saturday to fifth at the finish, then taking a five-place drop for Sunday's main event and roaring back from 10th to win. "It's a track that both of our drivers have typically gone well at and it's a sprint race where we can pick up more points," said Mercedes' strategy chief James Vowles. "And when you have a car within a few tenths of your competition, you can make things happen." ALSO READ | F1 legend Michael Schumacher's Ferrari fetches record $15 million at auction With both titles won by Max Verstappen and Red Bull, Mercedes are fighting Ferrari for second place. The Italians are 40 points ahead with 96 available from Brazil and the final round in Abu Dhabi. Plenty is at stake from the last two races, with the division of revenues decided by the positions in the constructors' standings. Renault-owned Alpine and McLaren are separated by only seven points in the battle for fourth while Aston Martin are four behind sixth-placed Alfa Romeo. Haas, in eighth, are a point clear of Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri. "Thanks to the Sprint format we have two attempts in which to score points and extend our lead to McLaren heading into the final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi," said Alpine's double world champion Fernando Alonso. At the top, Verstappen will be seeking to extend his record tally of wins in a season to 15 while Red Bull are eyeing a 10th win in a row. If they succeed, the final Sunday at Yas Marina could see Red Bull equal McLaren's 1988 record of 11 successive wins in a single season and send them into 2023 chasing Ferrari's all-time best of 14 in 1952-53. "While the focus has, for sure, already shifted to next year with the car, we also focus on the car we have at the moment," said Verstappen, who won the season's two previous sprints, after Mexico. "We try to win the next two races, that's for sure."

Honorary Brazilian Lewis Hamilton would love a 'home' win

Seven-times Formula One world champion&nbsp;Lewis&nbsp;Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil on Monday by the country's lower house of Congress and dedicated the honour to his boyhood idol, the late Brazilian triple world champion Ayrton Senna. "I feel like now I'm one of you," the Mercedes driver said in a crowded session of Congress packed with admirers in Brasilia days ahead of this year's Brazilian Grand Prix on Nov. 11 in Sao Paulo.

Hamilton delighted Brazilians by unfurling the Brazilian flag from his Mercedes during the slowing down lap after winning the last year at Sao Paulo's Interlagos circuit and later carrying the flag onto the podium. The lower house passed in June a bill to make the 37-year-old an honorary citizen that was proposed by congressman Andre Figueiredo after the British driver won the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix for the third time.

Hamilton clinched his first world championship at Interlagos in 2008, beating Ferrari's then local favourite Felipe Massa with a devastating overtake on the last corner of the last lap of the final round of the season. A smiling Hamilton, wearing a royal blue suit, received Brazil's legislative medal of merit, a diploma and made a speech thanking his fans and dedicating the honour to Senna.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-club-liverpool-put-up-for-sale-by-fenway-sports-group-531947">Premier League club Liverpool put up for sale by Fenway Sports Group</a>

"I have so many amazing memories of Brazil," Hamilton said. "And particularly 2021. Knowing you guys would cheer me on the way was one of the most special moments of my entire life. I can't wait for us to continue to strive ahead," he added.

At the ceremony, congressmen also highlighted Hamilton's social activism, including his defence of minority groups and environmental causes. Hamilton pledged to continue pushing for diversity and said that visiting the Amazon rainforest was one of his dreams.

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil on Monday by the country's lower house of Congress and dedicated the honour to his boyhood idol, the late Brazilian triple world champion Ayrton Senna.

Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was made an honorary citizen of Brazil on Monday by the country's lower house of Congress and dedicated the honour to his boyhood idol, the late Brazilian triple world champion Ayrton Senna. "I feel like now I'm one of you," the Mercedes driver said in a crowded session of Congress packed with admirers in Brasilia days ahead of this year's Brazilian Grand Prix on Nov. 11 in Sao Paulo. Hamilton delighted Brazilians by unfurling the Brazilian flag from his Mercedes during the slowing down lap after winning the last year at Sao Paulo's Interlagos circuit and later carrying the flag onto the podium. The lower house passed in June a bill to make the 37-year-old an honorary citizen that was proposed by congressman Andre Figueiredo after the British driver won the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix for the third time. Hamilton clinched his first world championship at Interlagos in 2008, beating Ferrari's then local favourite Felipe Massa with a devastating overtake on the last corner of the last lap of the final round of the season. A smiling Hamilton, wearing a royal blue suit, received Brazil's legislative medal of merit, a diploma and made a speech thanking his fans and dedicating the honour to Senna. ALSO READ | Premier League club Liverpool put up for sale by Fenway Sports Group "I have so many amazing memories of Brazil," Hamilton said. "And particularly 2021. Knowing you guys would cheer me on the way was one of the most special moments of my entire life. I can't wait for us to continue to strive ahead," he added. At the ceremony, congressmen also highlighted Hamilton's social activism, including his defence of minority groups and environmental causes. Hamilton pledged to continue pushing for diversity and said that visiting the Amazon rainforest was one of his dreams.

Now I'm one of you: Seven-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton tells Brazil as he becomes honorary citizen

honorary-citizenship

Honorary Citizenship, News on Honorary Citizenship, stories on Honorary Citizenship, articles on Honorary Citizenship, Honorary Citizenship stories at Wion, Honorary Citizenship news, Honorary Citizenship latest news