Heavy rain had turned into light drizzle by the time the McLaren Honda MP4/5B entered the track, and 150,000-strong crowd erupted, chanting in unison.
On November 3, 2024, at the Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Sao Paulo Grand Prix race was preceded by the “SENNA SEMPRE” (Senna Forever) ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s legacy. Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton climbed into Senna’s championship-winning F1 car for a demonstration run and fired up the Honda V10 engine. The high-pitched sound pierced the air, and the crowd responded with equal energy, their frenzy seemingly following the McLaren Honda MP4/5B around the track. The Senna family were tearful at the sight, as the crowd remembered the legendary Brazilian driver as his car as it passed by, and the excitement grew even more.
At the end of May, Honda had received a request from the Sao Paulo GP organizers to help with a 30th anniversary memorial event for Senna, requesting the loan of the F1 car that the legend had driven. Senna is an important figure in Honda’s history, having built an F1 era together, playing an important role in promoting the Honda brand. Without hesitation, Honda had accepted the request and began preparations.
Honda consulted with McLaren Racing regarding the car, and after considering various factors, selected an MP4/5B owned by McLaren as it was in the best condition. The 1990 championship-winning car was powered by the V10 Honda RA100E. This engine was based on the previous year’s RA109E, with a revised bore and stroke, achieving more stable combustion and lower fuel consumption, and was the engine that gave Honda its fifth consecutive constructors’ championship, and Senna’s second world title with 10 pole positions and 6 wins.
The SENNA SEMPRE ceremony and demo run were originally scheduled for Saturday, November 2, starting at 5:15 p.m. following the F1 qualifying sessions. Due to heavy rain, Qualifying was postponed to 7:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, and the race was rescheduled for a 12:30 p.m. start, due to concerns about weather conditions not improving. The schedule was so tight that the SENNA SEMPRE event was in jeopardy, but thanks to the efforts of the organizers, officials, and many fans, an announcement was made on the day of the race that SENNA SEMPRE would be held from 11:00 a.m., prior to the race. As a current F1 driver taking the wheel of a demo run just before a race was unheard of, Bruno Senna was prepared to stand in, but due to the strong will of the former world champion, who had been made a honorary Brazil citizen in 2022, Hamilton was behind the wheel as originally planned.
Rain persisted on Sunday morning, and the qualifying sessions were held in wet conditions. Although the rain was heavier after Qualifying, by the time SENNA SEMPRE began, it had turned to a light drizzle.
At 11:00 a..m., spectators cheered loudly as Hamilton in a pure-white racing suit took the wheel, and the #27 MP4/5B emerged from the specially built garage. The Honda V10 was fired up, its sound piercing the air, met by the dramatically louder cheers of the onlooking crowd. Hamilton’s respect for Senna and his deep emotions could be seen as he drove around the circuit for six laps despite the wet conditions, treating spectators to the V10 engine’s music, and the crowd responding with unending chants of “Senna!” At the end, Hamilton waved the Brazilian flag as he drove back to the grid, just as Senna had once done.
After the demo run, Hamilton was excited, and deeply touched:
“It was very, very, very emotional, naturally. I was just revisiting my childhood as I was watching Ayrton race here as a kid, and hearing that sound and watch him drive here and winning that race, I just couldn’t believe that I had the chance to do that. I hope Senna can be proud. That was the best drive of the whole weekend.
“This probably will never happen again, so I’ll definitely cherish the moment. That’s why I didn’t stop. I did one or two more laps than I was supposed to. That’s a real racing car. I would race that today if I could.
“It’s a very, very special day. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made this happen. It was the greatest honor of my career to do it here, in front of this beautiful crowd in Brazil.”
Honda's HRC Heritage Department provided full support for the engine’s maintenance, with staff gathering spare parts which they brought with them. Promotion staff were also on site to witness SENNA SEMPRE and experience the eternal love for Senna by the Brazilian fans. Honda staff were delighted that the demo run was realized despite the weather and other factors, while feeling the strong passion the Brazilian people continue to have for Senna, and sharing the excitement with the Senna family, F1 officials, and fans. At the end of the demo run, Takeshi Ishihara, head of the HRC Heritage Department, expressed his excitement, and relief.
“I am honestly relieved that we were able to complete the run without incident. To be able to revive this car in Brazil was a great experience, and I am deeply moved. I watched Senna drive before I got involved in racing, and for me to see the same car here was incredible. It is wonderful that Honda was able to accomplish this [event] in cooperation with McLaren, with a strong desire.”