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Lewis Hamilton paid an emotional tribute to Chadwick Boseman after taking pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday, with the world champion saying “this is for him.”
Boseman, who died of cancer on Friday at age 43, played the role of T’Challa, the leader of Wakanda in the movie “Black Panther,” which was the first Marvel movie to have a black character as a superhero.
LEE: The sports world mourns the death of Chadwick Boseman
“That weighed on me today,” said Hamilton.
“I was so motivated to put on a good performance today so I could dedicate it to Chad. I remember when I was a kid, Superman was a superhero, he didn’t look like me, but I still thought that Superman was the best.
“When Chad became the King, it was really, when he became a superhero in Wakanda it was such a special day for so many people, as I know that children like me will now be able to admire him and it is possible to do whatever it takes. He did, so this one is dedicated to him. “
Hamilton explained that he met Boseman during New York fashion week when “we were at the same dinner.”
“I saw it a couple of times for the rest of the night and we actually partied together, basically at the same table. And it was an incredible scene. I remember talking to him.
“I remember when ‘Black Panther’ came out, I’m a huge Marvel fan so knowing what Hollywood has been like for a long, long time and seeing the first black superhero show up… man, everyone was so proud.
“To see someone do it like him, and be such a powerful figure in the world of the Avengers, was incredible, a great honor and inspiring. His legacy will always live on. “
In his majestic sweep to pole position on Saturday, Hamilton said he turned down the opportunity to make a slide and chose to race only because he wanted a clear run to his 93rd pole.
The championship leader and six-time world champion took pole position more than half a second ahead of his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.
His flawless lap came without him ‘grabbing a tow’ from Bottas as other teams worked in pairs to gain an advantage.
“From weekend to weekend, Valtteri and I have a choice,” Hamilton said.
“One weekend is your choice to go first or second and others are mine, and this weekend was my choice.
“I decided to go first and I just wanted to be clear and not have to back up behind people at the last corner. I just wanted clean air in front of me, and I think it worked.
He added that his efforts resulted in “one of the cleanest qualifying sessions that I think I have ever had. Every lap was perfect and without errors, without any real problems.
He said it was a “phenomenal feeling to drive on this track because it’s amazing how fast it has gotten.”
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