Lewis Hamilton uses spirit of Ayrton Senna to boost his title chance as he reveals yellow helmet tribute to the late F1 legend
Mercedes driver copies his idol's colour scheme for the Brazilian GP where Nico Rosberg can clinch crown if he wins
LEWIS HAMILTON will use the spirit of Ayrton Senna to help boost his chances of retaining his Formula One title.
The Mercedes ace has revealed he will use a special yellow crash helmet for this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix decorated in his idol's colour scheme.
Hamilton grew up with the picture of the Brazilian ace on his bedroom wall and has always started he was the driving force for him wanting to become an F1 driver.
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Senna, who tragically died in the 1994 San Marino GP, is buried just a few miles from the Interlagos track.
Incredibly, Hamilton has never won this race during his F1 career but he needs a victory to help take the title race down to the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Rival Nico Rosberg can clinch his maiden world crown with a win in Sao Paulo but Hamilton is in relaxed mood about his chances.
He said: "I've had lots of great and mixed experiences here, so it's a real challenge to come here and try to win for the first time.
"It is something that Nico has experienced in the past. That's my goal and nothing really to lose. I don't really know why I've not won here before but I'll try harder this year."
Rosberg however, is quietly confident and taking added inspiration from his two previous wins here in the past two years.
He added: "I love the track. It's a great track, feels good and I've always gone well here, so I'm looking forward to the weekend.
"I have some great memories from those two wins. They were very special but at the same time, this year we all start from zero.
"Those past wins are not going to help me get the win this weekend. We all start from the same place and I just need to do a good job this weekend and that's it."
Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel has given a grovelling apology to race boss Charlie Whiting after his F-word rant in Mexico.
The Ferrari ace delivered an astonishing blast at the Brit, shouting over the radio: "You know what? Here is the message for Charlie: f*** off! Honestly, f*** off".
Astonishingly, Vettel was let off with just a ticking off, despite being heavily criticised for his outburst and appearing to break the rules by bringing the sport into disrepute.
Whiting expressed his regret about the language used and said he felt Vettel's apology was enough.
He said: "It is not the first time bad language has been used, of course.
"The fact that it was directed at me was unfortunate, and I think there were a number of mitigating circumstances that led up to Sebastian's obvious frustration.
"But the fact that he sought me out very shortly after the race to apologise for me that was enough, and I am prepared to forget and move on. And that is really what we should do.
"Things happens in the heat of the moment, and I think you've seen what the FIA's position on this is and I personally feel that is enough."
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Vettel added. "I am sorry for what I said. I regret what I said, certainly didn't mean it."
Mexican racer Sergio Perez has dramatically ditched his sunglasses sponsor after they Tweeted a disrespectful comment about his countryman following Donald Trump's election win.
Brand Hawkers have been forced to scrap 20,000 pairs of glasses bearing the Force India driver's logo after he cut ties with the Spanish-based company after the social media blunder.
The Tasteless Tweet, sent after Trump won the US election, said: "Mexicans, put on these sunglasses so your eyes don't swell when you are building the wall tomorrow."
Perez said: "I decided to split with them. I think it was a very unfortunate comment about my country.
"I'm not in favour at all of those comments. I didn't see a reason and didn't find it funny at all."
Perez, who has been confirmed as a Force India for next season, will have Esteban Ocon as his teammate next season.