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The motorsport industry still has a lot of work to do before it can be considered truly representative with equal opportunities for all. Fortunately, there are numerous organisations and initiatives that are working to increase diversity, equity and inclusion across the industry, both on and off track. In the below guide, we bring together eight of these and detail their purpose, mission and how they are affecting change with the work they are doing. 🏁 More than Equal 🏁 Racing Pride 🏁 Driven By Us 🏁 FIA Girls On Track 🏁 Mission 44 🏁 Women in Motorsports North America 🏁 Females in Motorsport 🏁 Global Karting League:UK The work of these eight featured organisations spans everything from growing female participation and performance in motorsport, to providing equal opportunities for youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds who want to pursue a career in the industry. This DE&I guide is designed to collate purpose-led organisations into one easy-to-access resource. Far from the finished list, it will be updated and expanded over time to include the various programmes driving positive change in our industry. You can check out the initial eight organisations in the first edition of the guide below 👇 #motorsport #diversity #equity #inclusion #sportsbiz https://lnkd.in/envfr9tV

Throughout its history, motorsport has been a rich man's world. Now, finally, there are signs that things are starting to change. Spearheaded by the F1 Academy, visibility of female drivers is increasing, and the pathway from grassroots to the elite level is being developed in a way that has never been seen before. Initiatives such as Global Karting League:UK and More than Equal are working to increase female participation and performance, in a bid to remove barriers to entry for girls wanting to compete, with Formula 1 being the ultimate goal. Recent record-breaking results from the Iron Dames, Jamie Chadwick and Abbi Pulling have all helped grow the feeling that women's motorsport is on the rise, whilst crucially giving young girls role models that they can look up to. This will only be increased next year when the F1 Academy Netflix docuseries is released, which should be another pivotal step in growing the visibility and profile of not just the drivers, but also women working in key roles off-track. From a commercial perspective, there is clearly a growing appetite from brands to support women in motorsport, which is opening up new opportunities for the sport as a whole. Again, F1 Academy is leading the way with support from the likes of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, Tommy Hilfiger and American Express, but the trend is widening - highlighted by E.L.F. BEAUTY's backing of Katherine Legge in this weekend's Indy 500. As part of SportsPro's Women's Sport Week, Cian Brittle sat down with Rob Smedley, ex-F1 engineer and founder of Global Karting League, to discuss why motorsport has so far fallen short on gender equality, and how some of the aforementioned initiatives are working to rectify that. #f1 #motorsport #womeninmotorsport #sportsbiz https://lnkd.in/eQAXz9E8

MOTORSPORT MONDAY🏎️ —————————————————————— Welcome to this week’s post! Last week I had the pleasure of participating on a panel with fellow classmates to discuss the current topic in sports law of transgender athletes. This topic got me thinking that we do not seem to be edging near a solution, especially with the recent news of swimmer Lia Thomas not to compete in the upcoming Olympics. So, as a future lawyer in the industry, I want to be a part of the conversation that helps us reach a solution. Now, by no means am I saying I have solved anything, I understand this is an incredibly complex topic that will likely take time to improve. So to begin, I wanted to explore what motorsports is doing to step closer to a solution. ✅ National Governing body for 4-wheel motorsports, Motorsport UK has implemented a “Transgender Inclusion Policy”. The policy includes all individuals who take part in events (from drivers to marshalls) to be able to participate under the gender they recognize as, without any certification. They also will extend resources to clubs and championships to help with the implementation of this policy. Other series in the world are mimicking such inclusivity such as New Zealand’s Indoor and Outdoor Rental Kart competition. ✅ The sport also owes a lot of its progress to ambassadors such as LGBTQIA+ activist and trans motorsports racing driver Charlie Martin. Martin fought through a lack of awareness and inclusivity at the beginning of her journey to help the sport continue this battle and reach where it is today. ✅ Additionally, we have drivers such as the likes of Sir Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel using their platform to promote their support for the LGBTQIA+ community. ✅ Many motorsport categories already have men and women competing side by side. Since motorsports has more of a capacity to allow mixed-gender categories, why not extend this inclusion to transgender athletes? I think if an amazing racer got out of their race craft fully suited and in a helmet, you would not be aware of their gender but only of the performance they left on the track. ❗️❗️Of course, I must acknowledge that motorsports do not face the same challenges other sports do such as swimming and athletics, which rely heavily on human biology to determine unfair advantages. However, it can be a starting point that could slowly work its way, case by case, to other disciplines. In my humble opinion, motorsports has the potential, and perhaps even has begun, to take a step in the right direction regarding the topic of transgender athletes. I would have to agree with John Cowan, team principal of Norfolk-based Spirit Motorsport, who once said in an interview: “The car doesn’t care whether you are trans”.👏🏼 💬If you would like to mention any additional comments please feel free to do so down below, we would love to hear more! Until next Motorsport Monday🏎️! ——————————————————————— #transathletes #motorsport #sportslaw #humanrights

The motorsport industry's drive for greater diversity, equity and inclusion is gaining momentum, but there is still a lot of work to be done. There are a number of initiatives across all forms of motorsport that are striving to create opportunities for groups where there were none previously, working to ensure that the future faces of the sport better represent society as a whole - whether on the track, in the garages or back at team HQ. At the BlackBook Motorsport Forum next month, we will be fortunate to hear from three organisations that are at the forefront of the push to increase participation and performance from under-represented groups in the industry, both on and off track. 🎤 Alison Donnelly - CEO, More than Equal 🎤 Stephanie Travers - Senior Development Officer, Mission 44 🎤 Rob Smedley - Founder, Global Karting League:UK There's still time to get hold of a pass to join us there, and to hear first-hand from three key individuals responsible for driving change and leading the industry towards a more representative future 🏁 #motorsport #diversity #equity #inclusion #sportsbiz

I hope it's okay to say this, and it's taken as intended... 😬 ...this moment of progress, while absolutely worth celebrating, also prompts a reflective question: "𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘀𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴?" The recent surge in brand investment within women's sports, including partnerships between female-focused brands and sports entities, marks a significant and long-awaited stride toward gender equality in the sports industry. ⚖️ Initiatives like the F1 Academy's collaboration with Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, Nike and Dove's "Body Confident Sport" program, Clinique's #GameFace campaign with Holly Aitchison shine a light on the evolving landscape where women's sports are finally receiving the recognition and support they deserve. Additionally, landmark deals such as Barclays' backing of the Women’s Super League, the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association)'s historic capital raise, Heineken’s UEFA Women’s League sponsorship, and the response of brands like Adidas and Nike to the Women's World Cup's popularity demonstrate the growing commercial appeal and influence of women's sports 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿-𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁-𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗿𝘆, 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲-𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀. It's a reminder that the recent enthusiasm for women's sports, while positive, is overdue recognition of its inherent value as a powerful platform for engagement, community building, and brand loyalty. This isn't just a triumph but a call to action for continuous support and investment, recognising the potential that was always there, waiting to be acknowledged. 👊 https://lnkd.in/eh6GPThs #sport #marketing #brand #partnerships #brandidentity #brandpurpose #sponsorship #sportsmarketing #athlete #athletemarketing #smallbusinessmarketing #startups 

There is game-changing momentum in sports investment 🌟 The recent surge in brand investment not only marks a historic step towards gender equality but also underscores a compelling business strategy that’s been overlooked for far too long. The potential has always been there—it’s time we all recognize and harness it fully beyond tokenism and brand optics. It makes good business sense 💡

This past weekend, while enjoying the Hungarian Grand Prix with my husband, I found myself pondering a question that may seem straightforward but is quite profound. I asked him, "Why don't we see women racing alongside men in Formula 1?" Despite talented female drivers like Bianca Bustamante making significant strides in motorsport, there are still several barriers preventing women from competing in F1. Historically, motorsport has been male-dominated, with fewer opportunities for women to progress through the ranks. Additionally, securing sponsorship and support can be more challenging for female drivers, which is crucial for advancing to higher levels of racing. Moreover, the physical demands of F1 are often cited, although many believe that with the right training and support, women can meet these demands just as well as men. There's also a lingering stereotype that racing is a "man's sport," which further hinders the inclusion of women. There have been a handful of women who in the past have successfully made their mark on F1. 🏁Maria Teresa de Filippis - The first woman to race in F1, she competed in the late 1950s and participated in three World Championship Grands Prix. 🏁Lella Lombardi - The most successful female driver in F1 history, she competed in the mid-1970s and is the only woman to have scored points in a World Championship race, with a sixth-place finish at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix. 🏁Divina Galica - A British driver who attempted to qualify for three F1 races in the late 1970s but did not make it to the starting grid. 🏁Giovanna Amati - The last woman to have entered the Formula 1 World Championship, she attempted to qualify for three races with Brabham in 1992 but did not make it to the starting grid. If there are available seats, why aren't women being given the chance to race at this level? It’s clear we need to challenge these stereotypes, provide equal opportunities, and support female drivers more robustly. While these drivers have paved the way, there is a growing movement to encourage and support more women in motorsport. Initiatives like the F1 Academy and increased support from teams and sponsors are steps toward a more inclusive future in racing. I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights on this topic. Why do you think this disparity exists, and what can be done to change it? #Womenempowerment #Personaldevelopment #Mentalhealthawareness

🌟 F1st Female Motorsport Clubs 🌟 We're excited to introduce the F1st Female Motorsport Club, a community dedicated to empowering young girls to pursue their passion for motorsport and build the skills needed to become professional racing drivers. Our mission is clear: using the models of other mass participation sports to create an inclusive, supportive environment where a large number of girls aged 8-18 can thrive, develop their talents with a structured learning program, and dream big in a sport that has historically been male-dominated. Here's how we aim to make that happen: 🚗 Supportive & Inclusive Environment We provide a safe, nurturing space where girls can explore their interest in motorsport, free from stereotypes and limitations. Our club will foster confidence, connections, transferable skills and community with peers and mentors who share their passion. 🏎️ Encouraging Exploration & Development Through hands-on experiences, from racing techniques to data analysis, we'll expose participants to various aspects of the sport, helping them discover their strengths and develop their skills. ✨ Empowering Dreams & Aspirations Our ultimate goal is to help girls aspire to greatness. We provide mentorship, guidance, and resources to navigate their motorsport journey with confidence and ambition. We believe in their potential to become the next generation of racing champions. 🌍 Promoting Gender Equality & Diversity We're committed to challenging gender stereotypes in motorsport. By showcasing female talent and advocating for equal opportunities, we aim to create lasting change and a more inclusive landscape for female drivers. Our Objectives include: Developing a structured skills development program for girls aged 8-18, focusing on foundational racing skills. Providing access to simulators and training facilities for karting and junior formula racing. Building a community of female drivers, coaches, and mentors to inspire and support one another. Facilitating the transition from virtual to real-world racing through partnerships with karting tracks and junior racing series. At F1st Female, we believe that every girl should have the chance to pursue her passion for motorsport and break barriers in racing. Together, we’ll drive change, one lap at a time. 💪🏁 #F1stFemale #WomenInMotorsport #GenderEquality #Racing

Following on from our recent post about the amazing impact of the FIA Girls on Track UK program, I wanted to share some more insights into the current state of women in motorsport. While it’s inspiring to see over 10,000 young girls being introduced to the possibilities within motorsport, there’s still a long road ahead. Did you know that no female driver has competed in Formula 1 since 1992? And currently, women make up only 5% of engineers in F1 teams. Programs like Girls on Track UK are vital for changing this landscape, empowering young girls to pursue careers in racing – not just as drivers, but as engineers, strategists, and innovators. It’s efforts like these that will help close the gender gap and ensure the future of motorsport is more inclusive. At Not Just Girls, I’m excited to continue championing initiatives like these and seeing more women take their rightful place in the motorsport world! #WomenInSTEAM #MotorsportDiversity #GirlsOnTrack #WomenInMotorsport #NotJustGirls

💥Surprise! Women make up 40% of Formula 1 fans. You may be less surprised to learn that only 10% of #F1 drivers are #women, and that 49 years have passed since the last woman scored points in an F1 race. ➡️ Here’s an interesting take on making a difference in a traditionally male-dominated #sport and #womenleaders. 🏎️ The all-female F1 Academy, headed by Susie Wolff is spearheading change with top 15 all-women races and programmes supporting talent from the age of 8. 🏎️ More than Equal, run by founder and Grand Prix winner David Coulthard and chief executive Ali Donnelly, uses a “science-based approach” to find and develop F1’s first female champion. “All the science says there is no boundary between men and women competing at the same level in F1,” he says. 🏎️ Girls on Track UK aims to inspire girls and women to believe they have a place in racing and to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, which could open up career paths. #gendergap #genderequity #womeninsports #change https://lnkd.in/d7i8JWcc