Lewis Hamilton: Winning Brazilian Grand Prix would be 'salute' to Ayrton Senna

Briton has never won Brazil GP and would dearly love to honour his great hero, whose tally of three world titles he matched this year.

Lewis Hamilton says winning this Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix for the first time would be a “salute” to his great hero, Ayrton Senna, whose tally of three world titles he matched this year.

Although Hamilton took his first championship in São Paulo back in 2008 in memorable fashion, the 30-year-old has generally struggled at Interlagos. He was leading three years ago in his final race for McLaren, only to be taken out by Nico Hulkenberg.

Lewis Hamilton is looking forward to this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix

As so often there are parallels with Senna, who did not win on home soil in Brazil until his eighth attempt in 1991, despite the gearbox jamming in the closing stages. Hamilton has earmarked Brazil both because of Senna and the fact it is one of few races on the calendar he has not won.

“This was the home race for Ayrton, so it was a dream of mine to race in São Paulo when I was younger and I always feel his presence when I'm there,” Hamilton said.

Ayrton Senna did not win on home soil in Brazil until his eighth attempt in 1991

“He was such a huge hero in Brazil and it's humbling that I always get such a warm response there. It's amazing to think that it took Ayrton eight attempts to win this race and it's one of the few I haven't yet won myself.

“If I can change that this weekend it would be a salute to him and another highlight to add to this amazing year, so I'll be going all out to make that happen.”

• Rossi accuses rivals of colluding to deny him world title

With the championship already wrapped up, Hamilton is facing an increasingly feisty rivalry with Nico Rosberg, his Mercedes team-mate.

While Toto Wolff, the Mercedes boss, describes it as “good for the sport” and “good for the team”, it threatens to boil over in the two remaining dead rubbers of the season.

Nico Rosberg won last year's Brazilian GP

Rosberg won this race last season, absorbing extreme pressure for Hamilton in the final 20 laps. The German is determined to spoil Hamilton’s party fresh from winning last time out in Mexico.

“I've usually been pretty quick there and last year was a good battle with Lewis, when I came out on top,” Rosberg said.

“Standing on the top step after a hard-earned win, following in the footsteps of so many great drivers who have won there and with the passionate Brazilian crowd cheering on - that was a great feeling.

“I'd love to experience that again, so the aim is to put on another good show for the fans and to carry my form from Mexico into this race.”

Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton spotted on night out together sparking reconciliation rumours

The pair left the London club separately but are rumoured to have spent four hours inside together.

Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton haver sparked reconciliation rumours after they were snapped at the same London nightclub this weekend.

The former couple split up in February, but sent the rumour mill into overdrive as they partied at The Box in Soho together on Friday night.

According to reports, they spent up to four hours inside together as singer John Newman performed, but left the venue separately.

However a spokesperson for Nicole denied they're reuniting, and told Mirror Online: "It was a coincidence they were both at the same club. Nicole is not back with Lewis."

They split in February

Photos show Nicole keeping her head down as she stepped past cameras, dressed down in a loose pink silk blouse and jeans.

The singer smiled happily as she stepped outside, seemingly unphased by the meltdown she had just created amongst the ex couple's fans.

Meanwhile Lewis attempted to hide his face as he wore a red jacket and cap with a chunky gold chain, flashing a brief smile to passers by.

A source told The Sun: "They arrived separately to watch a John Newman performance and sat at different tables.

It's the first time they have been spotted together since the split.

"But then they were taken to a private room. John and 5 Seconds Of Summer were in a second one."

While it's unclear if the reunion was planned, it's claimed they spent a large amount of their night together once inside.

The source added: "The Box's security were not allowed in Nicole and Lewis' room and told to not let anybody else in.

The pair dated on and off for years

"They stayed well after the club shut. Staff were desperate for them to leave."

The coupe split in February amid rumours they were struggling with a long distance relationship, and Lewis couldn't commit to marriage.

Lewis' rep declined to comment, while Nicole's denied they're back together.