Formula 1 has announced new scholarships, apprenticeships and internships to boost underrepresented groups in motorsport and engineering; as recommended by The Hamilton Commission’s latest diversity report.
The announcement comes shortly after The Hamilton Commission published its diversity report earlier this week; which estimated that just 1% of F1 employees are from Black backgrounds. The report, entitled Accelerating Change: Improving Representation of Black People in UK Motorsport, explores the barriers to the recruitment and progression of Black people within UK motorsport; and provides recommendations to address them to boost diversity.
Lewis Hamilton, F1’s only Black Driver, set up The Hamilton Commission last year; shortly after the death of unarmed African-American George Floyd at the hands of US police. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion said “helping motorsport to become more diverse will be the most valuable thing” he has achieved in his career. According to Hamilton, it’s not just the motorsport industry that needs to change; “there are still systemic issues facing young Black people at all levels of the education system”.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO REMOVE BARRIERS
The Hamilton Commission’s report, compiled by a series of experts on education, motorsport and diversity, highlighted how recruitment practices in F1 tended to favour students from a select group of high-ranking universities. It also revealed the barriers preventing Black students from succeeding in STEM subjects at school. The report makes 10 recommendations, focusing on access to STEM careers, including:
- Improving access beyond the typical recruitment from a select group of universities, to include degree apprenticeships.
- Creating Scholarship programmes for Black students to study degrees in engineering and related subjects.
- Developing new approaches to increase the number of Black students studying STEM subjects that lead to careers in engineering.
- F1 teams and the wider industry to implement a diversity and inclusion charter.
F1’s latest diversity initiatives shows that its leaders have swiftly taken on board some of recommendations to improve much-needed diversity in engineering and the motor sports industry. In fact, it has confirmed three new initiatives to help boost diversity in the sport, in the form of apprenticeships, scholarships and internships.
DRIVING FAST CHANGE
Thanks to the personal contribution of $1 million from F1’s Non-Executive Chairman Chase Carey, the scholarships will finance primarily 10 engineering-focused scholarships for underrepresented students, including ethnic minorities, women and those from under-privileged backgrounds.
Each scholarship will provide the full cost of a student’s tuition, together with a living stipend. The scholars will be part of the September 2021 intake of undergraduate courses in the UK and Masters (Postgraduate) in Italy. All 10 Formula 1 teams have committed to provide work experience opportunities to a scholar during their time at university.
The participating universities represent different regions within the UK and Italy; and each will run an independent selection process for the scholarship recipients. Italy’s Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna MUNER will take three scholars. The UK’s University of Oxford and Strathclyde University will take two each; and the University of Cambridge, Manchester Metropolitan University and Coventry University will take one each, confirmed F1.
DIVERSITY-BOOSTING INITIATIVES
In fact, F1 will place two long term apprentices from underrepresented groups within the organisation shortly, in September 2021; with a focus on mechanical engineering. F1 will offer six interns from underrepresented groups roles across the organisation in 2021, through both short and longer-term placements. Two of the placements are already assigned within the Motorsport and Marketing teams; with the other four being recruited over the coming weeks, confirmed F1.
“I am delighted to announce that scholars, apprentices and interns will get the chance to fulfil their dreams in Formula 1; and I know they have amazing futures ahead of them. I want to pay particular thanks to Chase whose generous donation is funding the 10 scholarships,” stated Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1. “Formula 1 is a global sport with fans across the world. We want to be as diverse as our fan base; and that is why we are taking direct action to ensure talented people from underrepresented groups have the best opportunities to get into, and build, a fantastic career in this amazing sport.”
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION FOCUS
“Our #WeRaceAsOne platform is our commitment to make real change and shows our recognition that we know we must make a positive contribution to the world we live in. All of the teams are committed to this and the work of the Hamilton Commission shows the dedication to addressing these issues across Formula 1,” added Domenicali.
“Our focus is on Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability and Community; and we will continue to drive forward with our plans to be more diverse, more sustainable and leave a lasting positive impact on the countries and communities we visit. We know we must continue to move forward on these issues; and the whole sport is united in doing this in the months and years ahead.”
Click here to download The Hamilton Commission’s report.
Earlier this year, Toyota announced a $1.7 million investment to increase opportunities for underrepresented students and assist them in earning engineering degrees. Click here to read more.
Sign up for our newsletter
