A few years back, Pitpass editor Chris Balfe visited the Jim Clark museum in the legendary Scottish racer's home town of Duns.

It was a quiet afternoon, and other than Editor Balfe and his partner, there were a couple of other people looking at the assembled trophies and memorabilia.

In time, the other people left and only Balfe and his partner remained, consequently, the curator engaged them in conversation.

They talked about Clark's life, his racing career, his farm, and, naturally, the accident that killed him at Hockenheim in April 1968.

Out of the blue, the curator said, "come and look at this". He opened the visitor book, and turned back a few pages to reveal the name, private address and signature of Ayrton Senna.

The curator revealed that a few weeks earlier, the Brazilian had made a private visit to the museum, claiming that he wanted to pay his respects to one of his motor racing idols. The museum had been warned in advance, but only to say that he was arriving and that he didn't want any intrusion from the media.

He arrived, accompanied by his good friend, FIA medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins. The Brazilian legend looked at the many items on show, watched a video, asked questions and even, having spent some time in silent reflection, bought a number of souvenirs, including a couple of pens. At the request of the curator he posed for a couple of pictures for the local newspaper, the only media present.

On leaving, he thanked the curator for his time, and signed the visitors' book. He then made his way to Clark's old school, the Loretto School in Musselburgh, just outside Edinburgh, where he gave a speech to pupils.

The curator's tale gave Editor Balfe a new perspective regarding Senna, who was to perish shortly afterwards. Asked if the reigning World Champion Nigel Mansell had ever visited the museum, bearing in mind his claim that Clark was one of his heroes, the curator winked and replied, "we couldn't afford him".

Lo and behold, one week before the Brazilian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has now revealed that he might pay a visit to the grave of the Brazilian, whose legendary helmet colours are reflected in the Englishman's own 'crash hat'.

"That's definitely something I'd like to do," he has told reporters. "I'll find it emotional and moving to go there.

"I will think about visiting after the race," he added. "It's important I have a clear mind going into the race weekend and that would be too emotional to do before the race."

Without being too harsh on the championship leader, one cannot help but feel that it would have been more appropriate to make an unannounced low-key visit to the grave of his idol, as opposed to turning it into the distasteful media scrum it is sure to be.

Which, again, says so very much about Senna.