Lewis Hamilton can expect the passionate Interlagos crowd to be on his side when the Formula One championship leader seeks his sixth win in a row, and 11th of the season, in this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.
That has not always been the case at the Sao Paulo circuit, where the local drivers can count on strong support, but this year the title battle comes down to a straight duel between Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.
I've got a Brazilian passport now. I need to learn Brazilian
Hamilton, a huge boyhood fan of the late triple world champion Ayrton Senna who died in 1994, is now finding a lot of Brazilians are rooting for him - including some of Senna's own family.
The Briton has already been presented with a large mock-up of a Brazilian passport - complete with his details - and a national soccer shirt courtesy of television comedy show .
" [how are you]?," were Hamilton's opening words as he faced reporters at Interlagos. "I've got a Brazilian passport now. I need to learn Brazilian."
The good humour was a far cry from 2008, when Hamilton ultimately prevailed over Brazilian Felipe Massa by a single point to take his first title with a last corner overtake.
