Silverstone is not just a home race for Lewis Hamilton, it's also a place with special resonance in his mission to build a more diverse and inclusive Formula One.
Four years ago, it was during a private test at Silverstone post-Covid, and pre-Austrian Grand Prix, that Lewis challenged us to do more and go further following the murder of George Floyd, by using our platform to advocate against racism and for greater inclusion. The result was the all-black livery of the W11, and catalysed the team's Accelerate 25 programme.
Three years ago at Silverstone, the Hamilton Commission published its report on Formula One. Some took this as a hostile act, some resisted it as "Lewis's thing" rather than relevant for the sport, others were open-minded and embraced the mirror it held up to our community - and asked the question, how can we lean into changing that? At the same time, we announced the Ignite partnership between our team and Lewis's fantastic foundation, Mission 44.
That work incubated some incredible initiatives that are guided today by Jason Arthur and his team at Mission 44, as they expand their scope and ambitions. That's why I believe this announcement by Formula 1 is so important - because it shows the sport as a whole, and not just individual drivers or teams within it, are prioritising a more representative and inclusive F1 as a source of strength and performance in the future.
Lewis may be moving on from Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team at the end of the season, but I hope that when we reflect on our legacy together, this work sits very high up the list of achievements we can be proud of - alongside all those wins and world championships.
And special little shout-outs to some of the folk in the background who've kept the wheels turning on this, most notably Jo Livingston, Marc Hynes and Mark Hamlin.
Formula 1 and Mission 44 have launched an exciting new collaboration to drive forward diversity in motorsport.
As a charity “supported by Formula 1”, Mission 44 and F1 will work together to increase awareness and access to motorsport career opportunities, so young people, no matter their background, can succeed.
To find out more click here: https://lnkd.in/eW2iaHV6
#f1 #motorsport #Mission44 #scholarships #charity #DandI #STEM #sportsbiz
