F1 drops rainbow branding as future #WeRaceAsOne commitment strengthened

The F1 rainbow branding displayed on the safety car — Photo: © LAT Images

Formula 1

F1 drops rainbow branding as future #WeRaceAsOne commitment strengthened

F1 launches new Environment, Social and Corporate Governance platform

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 10 February 2021 15:35

Formula 1 has decided to drop the rainbow branding that last year adorned its #WeRaceAsOne initiative as it focuses on core issues away from the Covid-19 pandemic.

F1 has determined #WeRaceAsOne will now become what it is unveiling as its official Environment, Social and Corporate Governance [ESG] platform for the sport 'long into the future and will continue to be used across the sport'.

In recognition of the two major issues that dominated the world last year - Covid-19 and inequality - the rainbow was chosen by F1 to sit alongside #WeRaceAsOne as it became a symbol that brought communities together around the world.

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Whilst F1 is far from dismissing the ongoing global struggle against the coronavirus, it has instead decided to concentrate on the three core pillars of its ESG - sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and community.

F1 states that 'these areas are a priority for the sport where progress has already been made but with more commitments to be delivered in coming months and years'.

In recent times, F1 has committed itself to be net-zero carbon by 2030, as well as ensuring there is greater diversity and inclusivity across the entire sport.

The sport claims that 'recent events have reinforced the importance of those issues and the need for us to accelerate and take further action to make our sport better, improve opportunity and have a positive impact on the world we live in'

It is F1's intention to continue to allow the drivers what it has described as 'a moment before the start of each race this season to show our united support for important issues'. The matter is to be discussed with them before the start of the new season.

Last year, the drivers were allowed to either stand or kneel to show their unified fight against racism.

This year, F1, the FIA and the teams are to focus on: • Creating a clear path towards sustainably fuelled hybrid engines, something that will be of significant importance to not only the sport but the automotive sector.

• Reducing the amount of single-use plastic bottles and cutlery and food waste in the pit and paddock.

• Rolling out internships and apprenticeships within Formula 1 for under-represented groups to provide access to a promising career in the sport.

• Funding scholarships for talented engineering students from diverse and underprivileged backgrounds with work experience opportunities at F1 and the Teams during their studies.

• Growing F1 in Schools – already the world’s leading school-age STEM education challenge.

• Working with our promoters around the world to establish and deliver programmes that leave a positive and lasting community impact.

• Helping to grow awareness and support for the W Series, the FIA Women in Motorsport Initiatives and all the talented young female drivers coming through the ranks.

• Moving towards new freight methods through adapting containers for use on modern aircraft and other modes of transport.

• Continuing to develop our remote operations capabilities where action to date has already eliminated circa 70 tonnes of freight being taken to each race.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “Our WeRaceAsOne platform was very effective at raising the awareness of socially important issues and our steadfast commitment to make a positive change.

"We are very proud of it and the teams have embraced it fully. While our commitment through words to tackling issues like sustainability and diversity in our sport are important, it is our actions that we will be judged on.

"We have already made good progress on our sustainability plans and you will see strong actions being executed this year across all three of our WRAO pillars.

"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.”