McLaren to push diversity in motorsport with new strategic alliance

McLaren

McLaren to push diversity in motorsport with new strategic alliance

McLaren has teamed up with four initiatives to improve inclusivity

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 30 June 2021 12:22

McLaren has announced a strategic alliance aimed at pushing diversity in motorsport.

McLaren Racing Engage will "advance the team’s diversity, equality and inclusion agenda" to further the team's commitment to F1's WeRaceAsOne initiative, incorporating four key partners: Women’s Engineering Society (WES); EqualEngineers; The Smallpeice Trust; and Creative Access.

CEO Zak Brown said: “McLaren Racing is fuelled by brave innovation, but brave innovation relies on diversity of thought and experience across all levels and functions, reflective of our fans, our partners and our communities.

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"By investing in grassroots talent through these STEM initiatives, mentorship and inclusive development programmes, we aim to inspire the future generations of talent by fuelling their passion for engineering and F1.

“In doing so, we strive to become a more diverse and inclusive team and sport through our commitment to F1’s WeRaceAsOne platform.”

With WES, McLaren will "launch a reciprocal mentorship programme for McLaren Racing’s female engineers and WES mentees", whilst the EqualEngineers alliance will aim to create "inclusive cultures" through internal training.

The Smallpeice Trust and McLaren will "co-design a custom STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] challenge day to introduce students to the exciting world of engineering" whilst the team will provide funding to aid A-Level students with "financial support, enrichment activities and mentoring opportunities".

Creative Access will work to improve "inclusive strategies, policies and recruitment practices to hire, educate and uplift diverse talent in its creative functions".

F1's WeRaceAsOne initiative was set up in 2020 in an attempt to push inclusivity within the sport.