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(Motorsport-Total.com) – Arms crossed, hands clenched into fists – this is how Lewis Hamilton gets out of his car after taking pole position at Spa-Francorchamps (Formula 1 2020 live on ticker). The message: “Wakanda Forever”. It is Hamilton’s tribute to an actor whose death was announced Saturday morning. Chadwick Boseman died of cancer at the age of 43.
© Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman with arms crossed Focus
“That news really broke me,” Hamilton said after qualifying. “So today it wasn’t easy to focus when something like that was in my heart. I thought I had to drive perfectly today because what he did as a superhero showed all the kids what was possible.”
Boseman was best known for his role as the superhero “Black Panther” in the movie of the same name. The symbolism of the film also played a role in the BlackLivesMatter movement, because Boseman was dark-skinned and his character represents the pride and strength of blacks.
A trademark of the warriors of Wakanda was the greeting with the arms crossed in front of the chest, and it was with this mark that Hamilton remembered the deceased actor.
Hamilton himself was not in close contact with Boseman, but he did meet him once in New York and is excited about his role as Black Panther. “I’m a huge Marvel fan and I know what Hollywood was like for a long time,” says the Mercedes driver. For a long time there was no hero role for blacks, until Black Panther.
“They were all very proud,” says Hamilton. Because, in his opinion, blacks are still underrepresented in important areas. “And then to see someone like him, who is such a powerful figure in the Avengers world … it was incredible, a great honor, so inspiring,” he enthuses.
“I can imagine a black kid looking up and realizing that it is possible to be a superhero.” Hamilton is sure: “His legacy will live on forever.”
For Mercedes motorsports director Toto Wolff, Hamilton has once again shown that he can react to adversity with great performance. “We are all alike. The more they throw at you, the better you become,” he says. “And that’s what we’re seeing with Lewis this season, with all the weirdness and all the tragedy.”
His performance in these circumstances is Hamilton’s response to everything that is happening in the world right now. “I believe Lewis has a chance to become the best champion in Formula 1. He continues to carry energy and responsibility and is a role model and inspiration to many people who look up to him.”
