F1 will not take foot off accelerator to promote diversity initiatives

Formula 1

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F1 will not take foot off accelerator to promote diversity initiatives

F1 launched its EndRacism and We Race As One campaigns last year

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Wednesday 10 March 2021 11:35

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Formula 1 is adamant there will be no let-up in its commitment to promoting diversity as it seeks to build on the platform of the 'We Race As One' campaign last season, according to CEO Stefano Domenicali.

The issue of diversity and a lack of equality was brought to the forefront last year by Lewis Hamilton, with initiatives that included 'EndRacism' courtesy of a pre-filmed message from the drivers and a moment for taking a knee, while Mercedes adopted its own stance and replaced the famous Silver livery with an all-black look.

Mercedes and Hamilton have also since launched further programmes such as The Hamilton Commission, Accelerate 25 and the Mulberry STEM Trust, while also playing a key role in the Stemettes.

Domenicali is insistent the sport will also continue to strive for a more diverse paddock.

“Following our project with 'We Race As One', diversity is very important for our sport, not only for drivers," said Domenicali.

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"We want to focus also on the technicians, mechanics, engineers to be part of the community with a different cultural approach but for sure, what I can say on our side, we are open to investing in any kind of activity to help."

Domenicali has experience with assisting more diverse backgrounds to find opportunity in motorsport from his time with the Single Seater Commission.

The Italian hopes his previous engagements can be intertwined with existing and prospective initiatives to reach the goal of creating a multi-cultured, multi-society-based F1.

"If I can put on my previous cap from when I was the president of the Single Seater Commission, the idea of working with F4, F3, F2 and other championships to push for young drivers to try and escalate the parameters was also connected to the fact we wanted to bring down the costs at the entry-level to the sport," he explained.

"We know in any case that this is a barrier. For sure, the diversity process will help to have wider attention for a different selection of people and society that will be interesting and for sure, that way, we are going to have other drivers.”