Lewis Hamilton was emotionally touched on Saturday after taking pole position at Spa-Francorchamps with a perfect lap. The Mercedes driver was moved by it passing away by actor Chadwick Boseman.
“This pole is very important to me”, the 35-year-old Briton said in an initial reaction. “I woke up to the news from Chadwick, the worst news imaginable. I was devastated.”
Boseman died on Friday at the age of 43 from colon cancer, his family announced on Saturday morning. The American is best known for his role in the film Black Panther, in which he was the first African American to play a role as a superhero in a major Hollywood production.
Hamilton celebrated his pole by standing on his car with his arms crossed in front of his chest, a Black Panther pose.
“It wasn’t easy to focus on qualifying. But I was determined to do a perfect lap for him,” said Hamilton.
Results qualifying GP Belgium
- 1. Hamilton (Mercedes) 1.41,252
- 2. Bottas (Mrecedes) 1.41,763
- 3. Verstappen (Red Bull) 1.41,778
- 4. Ricciardo (Renault) 1.42,061
- 5. Albon (Red Bull) 1.42,264
- 6. Ocon (Renault) 1.42,396
- 7. Sainz (McLaren) 1.42,438
- 8. Pérez (Racing Point) 1.42,532
- 9. Stroll (Racing Point) 1.42,603
- 10. Norris (McLaren) 1.42,657
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Hamilton satisfied with speed in the first corner
With his time of 1.41.252, the Briton was more than half a second ahead of all competitors. It was the fifth pole of the season and the 93rd of his career for the best qualifying driver in Formula 1 history.
Hamilton made the difference especially in the middle section of Spa-Francorchamps. “We are not the strongest in the first and last sectors, but we are very good in the second sector,” he said. “In previous years, turn one was a weak point of our car, but this weekend we are also very good there, I am very happy with that.”
Bottas announces attack on Hamilton
Hamilton has teammate Valtteri Bottas next to him on the front row on Sunday. The second row is formed by Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Daniel Ricciardo (Renault).
“I have to attack tomorrow if I want to keep my World Cup chances alive,” Bottas announced. “It’s not over yet, but then I have to compete in turn one.”
The Grand Prix of Belgium starts on Sunday at 3.10 p.m.
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