Formula 1: The seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton feels that the F1 initiative ‘We Race As One’ is ‘Just Words’ as the sport is not been able to achieve diversity and inclusion. The initiative was launched in 2020 with all drivers exclusively recording a video message which was joined together and broadcasted at the commencement of every Grand Prix. Follow Formula 1 and French GP LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
We must return with added purpose and determination to tackle the major issues that we as a sport, but also society, are facing.
Today we make our commitment to addressing those issues.#WeRaceAsOne #F1 pic.twitter.com/wXbbNiw8tD
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 22, 2020
Asked in the Austrian Grand Prix post-race press conference, how Formula 1 might attempt to battle abuse from spectators, Hamilton said, “I’ve not given a huge amount of thought in terms of coming up with solutions for what the sport should do.”
“It goes back to some of the messaging we talked about in terms of the stuff we also need to do here within the sport, which commits more to diversity and inclusion within our industry because that then reflects the direction we are going in and it also often reflects what our fanbase looks like. It’s time for action. We Race As One was all good and well, but it was just words. It didn’t actually do anything. There was no funding towards anything, no program to actually create change and spark that conversation.” Hamilton added.
“So we definitely need to utilize our platforms, as I just mentioned, but we really have to step up and actually really start actioning some of the things we are saying. Just saying ‘it’s not enough, it’s unacceptable’ is not enough,” Hamilton concluded.
What’s more, the 20 racers would stand or ‘take a knee’ together on the grid to advance the drive not long before the national anthem, with some, specifically Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, deciding to wear clothing that demonstrated their help for a specific reason.
Meanwhile, that pre-race method has been ended for this season, with Formula 1 just focusing on three critical mainstays of maintainability, variety and consideration, and community.
However, the spotlight is back on variety and consideration after it arose there had been instances of racist and homophobic abuse in the group at the Austrian Grand Prix, with Formula 1 censuring such way of behaving as ‘unsuitable’ in a proclamation, while Hamilton said he was ‘sickened’ by the detailed conduct of certain fans.
Hamilton, obviously, launched Mission 44 last year, carrying out £20 million to attempt to create more prominent motorsport open doors for under-addressed groups of youngsters in the UK. Moreover, it is comparatively pointed Ignite Partnership related to Mercedes.
We are delighted to launch Mission 44 – a new Foundation, founded by @LewisHamilton, to boost social mobility in the U.K.
Our vision is of a fair and inclusive society where all young people can fulfil their potential.
— Mission 44 (@mission44) July 28, 2021
