Watch: When Lewis Hamilton could not contain his inner child while driving Ayrton Senna’s McLaren for the first time

Lewis Hamilton could not contain his joy when he got to drive Ayrton Senna's McLaren-Honda MP4/4 in 2009.

In a 2009 episode of Top Gear, a British television program, Hamilton had a fun interaction with the host Jeremy Clarkson. It included the Briton getting his hands on Senna's McLaren car.

The 38-year-old could not contain his joy as he looked at and sat in the car before taking it for a spin around the Silverstone circuit.

You can watch the video of the same below:

The McLaren MP4/4, as it is popularly known, is one of the most successful Formula One cars of all time. The car was powered by Honda's RA168E 1.5-litre V6-turbo engine and made its debut during the 1988 F1 season.

Driven by teammates Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, the car won all but one race that year — a staggering 93.8 percent win rate. It was equally good in qualifying, claiming all but one pole position throughout the season.

Senna, with eight race wins and 90 points, finished the 1998 season as the champion, and Prost, with seven race wins and 87 points, was the runner-up.

Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton is a huge fan of Senna and considers him his racing idol. He began his career racing with a yellow helmet, a design quite similar to that of the Brazilian legend.

Hamilton has spoken highly of Senna several times and once shared his admiration for the three-time world champion by saying (via SportWeek):

“It was because of the way he raced. The colors of his helmet, the passion he talked with. And his victories. But also the way he faced alone, a system that wasn’t always kind to him. But also because of the way he single-handedly fought against a system, a system that wasn't always good for him.”

He added:

“Something I have also felt in my career, although with me it was in a different way. I always told myself that I wanted to become like him and end up in F1. I love cars and my profession is therefore the most beautiful profession in the world.”

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“My greatest inspiration” - Lewis Hamilton's tribute to Ayrton Senna ahead of the 2021 Brazilian GP

Lewis Hamilton

The F1 veteran wore a racing helmet inspired by Ayrton Senna ahead of the 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix as a tribute to him.

Lewis Hamilton's helmet featured the Brazilian tricolor running through its purple livery. On the side were three yellow stripes interspersed with his stars denoting his championships, as opposed to the silver ones in his regular helmet design.

Before that race, Hamilton took to social media and stated that he is not only a fan of Senna's driving skills but was also inspired by his personality.

“My greatest inspiration. It was the way he raced, his passion for life, and for the sport. But more than anything, it was the way he faced alone a system that wasn’t always kind to him. May Ayrton Senna’s legacy live on forever, especially vibrant this weekend.”