$285 Million Star Lewis Hamilton Pledges to Shell Out $302K to Kickstart a Powerful Initiative

Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have been a force to be reckoned with since the two got together in 2013. Together, they have achieved new milestones in the turbo hybrid era, but most importantly, they have also worked together over the past few years to improve inclusivity and diversity in the sport.

In December 2020, they launched the Accelerate 25 programme and also tied up with several organizations to improve equality in Formula 1. But now, Mercedes has announced that it will partner with the Royal Academy of Engineering to go a step ahead and launch a new motorsport scholarship program.

Through their Ignite Partnership, a joint venture between the F1 team and Lewis Hamilton, whose Mission44 charitable foundation is driving the initiative, Mercedes has maintained its commitment to promoting diversity in motorsport. And this program aims to give up to 10 scholarships worth somewhere around $302K over the next two years. This is to assist people who are black or of mixed black ethnicity and want to pursue a master’s degree in motorsport.

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This collaboration is based on the report of the Hamilton Commission, which was established in 2020 by the $285 Million worth driver.

Progress made by Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton

Under the Accelerate 25 programme, up until the end of 2025, Mercedes hoped that 25% of all new team members would come from underrepresented groups.

In a report released in 2021 and explained by Motorsportweek, the team had already achieved its target since 38% of its employees were from the background it sought to promote. Further, women’s participation increased from 12% to 14% of its workforce, while employees from minority ethnic groups increased from 3% to 6%. 

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The result of these projects can only be analyzed for at least a few more years. If the stakeholders are true to their intentions, the results will be visible. Otherwise, no amount of money would be useful.