Emotional Hamilton storms to inspired Belgian pole

[rooster59]

Emotional Hamilton storms to inspired Belgian pole

By Abhishek Takle

 

Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium - August 29, 2020 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during the press conference after qualifying in pole position FIA/Handout via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - Formula One leader Lewis Hamilton roared to an emotional Belgian Grand Prix pole position on Saturday after being moved to produce a dominant display in qualifying at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

 

The Briton, who was fastest in each of the three parts of qualifying, went into the hour-long session with news of the death from cancer of film star Chadwick Boseman weighing on his mind.

 

He responded by pulling out a one minute, 41.252-second lap, the fastest ever around the undulating seven-kilometre track, in a cool, overcast but dry session.

 

Valtteri Bottas edged out third-placed Max Verstappen to complete a front-row lockout for Mercedes but even his Finnish team mate's best effort was a whopping 0.511 seconds short of the world champion's inspired benchmark.

 

"A  superhero died last night," said Hamilton, a champion of diversity and racial equality, while dedicating his 93rd career pole to Boseman, the actor best known for playing Black Panther in the successful Marvel franchise.

 

"I was so driven to deliver a good performance today so I could dedicate it to Chad who I was really, really lucky to meet once and tell him how awesome he was," added the Briton, who earned his fifth pole from seven races this season.

 

Hamilton has won four of this season's six races and leads Red Bull's Verstappen by 37 points in the overall standings.

 

Bottas, third in the standings 43 points behind Hamilton, was at a loss to explain his gap to his team mate.

 

"It really felt like I was pushing the limits," said the Finn, who needs to start turning the tide if he is stop Hamilton's march to a record-equalling seventh title.

 

"But obviously quite a big gap, not sure yet why, but Lewis did a good job today."

 

VERSTAPPEN BEST-OF-THE-REST

 

Verstappen, who had ended Friday's practice sessions with the fastest time, had to settle for best-of-the-rest again but was pleased with his performance, even if a little frustrated to have run out of battery power before the end of the lap.

 

"If I'm not mistaken, this is the closest we've been to Mercedes in qualifying on a track where we didn't expect to be like this," said the 22-year-old Dutchman, who was just 0.015 slower than Bottas.

 

"It's been a positive weekend."

 

FERRARI MISERY

 

Ferrari endured a miserable day as both Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel failed to make it into the pole-position shootout.

 

Leclerc, who won his maiden Formula One race from pole position in Belgium last year, was only 13th, one place ahead of four-time champion Vettel.

 

Daniel Ricciardo took fourth for Renault, the French team carrying its strong practice form into qualifying.

 

Alexander Albon, in the other Red Bull, was fifth ahead of Ricciardo's team mate Esteban Ocon.

 

Carlos Sainz was seventh for McLaren, ahead of Racing Point duo Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, while Lando Norris rounded out the top 10 for McLaren.

 

Hamilton heads into Sunday's as favourite to chalk up an 89th career win which would put him just two short of Michael Schumacher's record tally of 91.

 

(Reporting by Abhishek Takle; Editing by Ian Chadband)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-08-30

 

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[twocatsmac]

Someone needs to tell Hamilton that Boseman was an actor, not the real superhero on his pajamas.

The ex British blm driver made me laugh this weekend with his minorities speech so I’m thinking which minority group is he in?

 

Ah yes, I remember, rich little toffs.

Hairs lookin at you kid.

 

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, twocatsmac said:

Someone needs to tell Hamilton that Boseman was an actor, not the real superhero on his pajamas.

The ex British blm driver made me laugh this weekend with his minorities speech so I’m thinking which minority group is he in?

 

Ah yes, I remember, rich little toffs.

Hairs lookin at you kid.

Er, he was never a rich little toff. Please do your homework. Google will help you.

He has become rich by working hard and being the best in the world at what he does.

No silver spoon. No handouts. Just graft.

[twocatsmac]

42 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Er, he was never a rich little toff. Please do your homework. Google will help you.

He has become rich by working hard and being the best in the world at what he does.

No silver spoon. No handouts. Just graft.

For a guy who’s seldom right,

your wrong again.

You sing this same song too often so once again just for you,

heres some homework, from google.

 

Edited August 30, 2020 by twocatsmac

[polpott]

3 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

For a guy who’s seldom right,

your wrong again.

You sing this same song too often so once again just for you,

heres some homework, from google.

 

And who is Alan Maclean? A nobody racist with a chip on his shoulder. Hamilton was an exceptional gocart driver who was spotted by Mclaren for his talent and put into their development program. Nothing to do with the colour of his skin although redneck racists would like to think otherwise.

[twocatsmac]

3 minutes ago, polpott said:

And who is Alan Maclean? A nobody racist with a chip on his shoulder. Hamilton was an exceptional gocart driver who was spotted by Mclaren for his talent and put into their development program. Nothing to do with the colour of his skin although redneck racists would like to think otherwise.

If someone doesn’t agree with you, they must be racist.

I referred to his upbringing in the 6 bedroomed house in the ghetto.

????

 

[polpott]

13 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

If someone doesn’t agree with you, they must be racist.

I referred to his upbringing in the 6 bedroomed house in the ghetto.

????

 

Try quoting the truth.

 

"The son of a black father and a white mother, who survived a broken home in his youth, Hamilton, 33, grew up on a municipal housing estate in Stevenage where his father Anthony at one time held down three jobs to fund his son's embryonic racing career in karts."

[Pilotman]

35 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

For a guy who’s seldom right,

your wrong again.

You sing this same song too often so once again just for you,

heres some homework, from google.

 

and google is always right is it?  His Dad and his talent got him where he is.  His Dad worked several jobs to get the money to start the process.

 

Oh, and he was right, Stevenage is a slum. 

[Pilotman]

Lewis has got where he is by his amazing talent.  He is now a leading light in trying to get sport to recognize discrimination in its own ranks and takes a leading role in changing  it.  Kudos to the GOAT.  The man is an inspiration and we are privileged to be able to watch the greatest racing driver of all time do his thing. 

Edited August 30, 2020 by Pilotman

[Pilotman]

I would like to add to my last post.  If anyone saw the 'in car camera footage' of his pole lap yesterday, the fastest lap ever at Spa, it just looks as if someone has speeded up the film.  It is astonishing that anyone would have that kind of talent, nerve and reactions.  Yes he has a marvelous car, but so does his team mate, who can hardly ever get close to him and was a full half second behind. An truly great driver. 

[polpott]

Just now, twocatsmac said:

That’s normally how the “process” starts in life, you work your butt off while you can.

My google reference refers to a previous poster asking me to use it but I suspect he needs the Braille version. 

 

Possible racist comment from you, surprised a black man can “hold down three jobs”

”survived a broken home” ? Are you a social worker?

Not my words. Google. You claimed that he was raised in a 6 bedroom house and was a "rich little toff"

Nothing further from the truth.

[Pilotman]

1 minute ago, polpott said:

Not my words. Google. You claimed that he was raised in a 6 bedroom house and was a "rich little toff"

Nothing further from the truth.

well said. 

[Orton Rd]

52 minutes ago, polpott said:

And who is Alan Maclean? A nobody racist with a chip on his shoulder. Hamilton was an exceptional gocart driver who was spotted by Mclaren for his talent and put into their development program. Nothing to do with the colour of his skin although redneck racists would like to think otherwise.

So anybody pointing out the truth about Hamilton is a 'racist' as well now, laughable

[twocatsmac]

9 minutes ago, polpott said:

Not my words. Google. You claimed that he was raised in a 6 bedroom house and was a "rich little toff"

Nothing further from the truth.

Care to call the surveyor, count the rooms?

 

[polpott]

1 minute ago, Orton Rd said:

So anybody pointing out the truth about Hamilton is a 'racist' as well now, laughable

No, but someone posting a string of obvious lies (provable) is likely to be. What other motive could they have?

[Orton Rd]

22 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Lewis has got where he is by his amazing talent.  He is now a leading light in trying to get sport to recognize discrimination in its own ranks and takes a leading role in changing  it.  Kudos to the GOAT.  The man is an inspiration and we are privileged to be able to watch the greatest racing driver of all time do his thing. 

Only there is NO discrimination in his sport or any other I can think of. Blacks are well represented in Tennis, Football, NFL, basketball, athletics, cricket, rugby etc ooh not up to much in swimming, must be all those white supremacist running that then ????

[NanLaew]

32 minutes ago, polpott said:

47 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

If someone doesn’t agree with you, they must be racist.

I referred to his upbringing in the 6 bedroomed house in the ghetto.

????

 

Try quoting the truth.

 

"The son of a black father and a white mother, who survived a broken home in his youth, Hamilton, 33, grew up on a municipal housing estate in Stevenage where his father Anthony at one time held down three jobs to fund his son's embryonic racing career in karts."

Oh... so as far as most Black folks are concerned, he's not a real Black person then.

[twocatsmac]

18 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

don't be so ridiculous. I have reported your post. You deserve a ban for that comment. 

How very big of you.

[Sheryl]

A flaming post and reply to it have been remoived

[polpott]

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Oh... so as far as most Black folks are concerned, he's not a real Black person then.

He identifies as black.

[Orton Rd]

9 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

Care to call the surveyor, count the rooms?

 

Not exactly a 'slum' is it the Daily Mail would call it a mansion and quote what it's worth

[baansgr]

1 hour ago, polpott said:

And who is Alan Maclean? A nobody racist with a chip on his shoulder. Hamilton was an exceptional gocart driver who was spotted by Mclaren for his talent and put into their development program. Nothing to do with the colour of his skin although redneck racists would like to think otherwise.

Exactly..he got where he is through his talent....so smacks in the face of his argument about racism.

[Orton Rd]

Just now, polpott said:

He identifies as black.

Elizabeth Warren identifies as native American, but she aint

[NanLaew]

Discussion of political correctness and racism aside, I am quite frankly BORED with Hamilton's F1 hegemony. Yes, he has undeniable talent and has been very fortunate to have been linked to the two of the most successful teams of his generation. Other equally capable and talented drivers have had mixed fortunes when their teams failed to deliver a competitive car.

 

Yes, the kid's done good regardless of his height and haircut but that's about it.

[NanLaew]

4 minutes ago, polpott said:

7 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Oh... so as far as most Black folks are concerned, he's not a real Black person then.

He identifies as black.

Whatever floats your/his boat.

 

I identify as human.

[polpott]

Just now, NanLaew said:

I identify as human.

Do you have proof of that? I demand a DNA test. 555

[polpott]

8 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Other equally capable and talented drivers have had mixed fortunes when their teams failed to deliver a competitive car.

Such as who? Hamilton was signed by McClaren and Mercedes because he's the best. Compare his results to his various team mates.

 

0.5 seconds ahead of Bottas in qualifying yesterday. In the same car, thats a lot.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2020 by polpott

[NanLaew]

28 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

I would like to add to my last post.  If anyone saw the 'in car camera footage' of his pole lap yesterday, the fastest lap ever at Spa, it just looks as if someone has speeded up the film.  It is astonishing that anyone would have that kind of talent, nerve and reactions.  Yes he has a marvelous car, but so does his team mate, who can hardly ever get close to him and was a full half second behind. An truly great driver. 

Well he's better cool his "truly great" jets when it comes to the actual race as Spa-Francorchamps has proved to be the better of many talented drivers, especially ones with their minds on other things.

[polpott]

19 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Well he's better cool his "truly great" jets when it comes to the actual race as Spa-Francorchamps has proved to be the better of many talented drivers, especially ones with their minds on other things.

Agreed. Spa is the best circuit in F1. A driver's circuit. Watch and learn.

 

Did you watch Hamilton's qualifying lap yesterday? Truly awesome.

 

 

Edited August 30, 2020 by polpott

[SomchaiCNX]

I used to be a huge fan of him until he became a Veganist (extremist) and BLM (racist) lover. Now he is full of BS and has no problems kicking other darked skinned drivers like Albon, from the circuit. He should have sticked to driving and keep is  personal interests for himself.