Most Prohibitive Barrier Exposed by Lewis Hamilton While Reflecting on Lack of Diversity in F1

Diversity has been a hot topic of debate surrounding F1. The sport currently has an all-male, 20-driver lineup with only one Black driver. One would think that after 14 years of Lewis Hamilton winning his first world title, diversity would have made a place in the sport. But unfortunately, that is not the case. Hamilton remains the only black driver on the grid, still facing racism. However, the lack of diversity is not only in terms of gender or race. Instead, the decisive barrier barring people from entering the sport is an extension of the same as revealed by Hamilton.

The bitter truth of the matter is that privilege and diversity are not intertwined. F1 for ages was only restricted to an elite part of Europe. This also points towards one key factor: access. When an equal opportunity is not extended to everyone looking to be a part of the racing fraternity, then how can one expect a diverse mix of people to come into the sport? But the questions remain, is the F1 dream only for the privileged? Was Hamilton an anomaly?

Reflecting on this, Hamilton, in the BBC documentary ‘We Are England: Born to Race’ said, “There is a lack of diversity through the top of big, big organizations and companies, all the way to the bottom and there is very little Black leadership. And also, the people particularly from African and Caribbean heritage, their parents, because they don’t see anyone here that looks like them, they never say ‘That is somewhere that you could be’.“

According to Hamilton, this lack of diversity also makes for the most prohibitive barrier for the sport; money. “The problem with our sport is that it is expensive,” admits Hamilton. Earlier Hamilton had also mentioned how in today’s world it would have been impossible for someone like him to get into F1.

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Drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton have been extremely vocal on this issue. Both these drivers come from humble backgrounds. Their parents worked multiple jobs to help them realize their F1 dream. These drivers carved the road to multiple world championships because of their exceptional talent. However, now it is increasingly becoming a rich man’s sport day after day. The beginning stages of the racing world have a budget that arguably cannot be afforded by families who do not have generational wealth. Only people with deep pockets can probably realistically think of stepping into this world. Yet a few dare to dream.

Steps Lewis Hamilton has taken to ensure diversity in Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton, on several occasions, has admitted to his F1 journey being a lonely one. He has smashed almost all records in a sport where not a lot many have looked like him. Hamilton is already doing everything in his power to bring more diversity into the motor sporting world. “I think for the future we’ve got to work to change that. To make it more accessible, to people from rich and more normal backgrounds.” said the seven-time world champion to the Spanish newspaper AS.

In the BBC documentary, he also mentioned, “So, I put this commission together to try and find out what those barriers are for young, underserved communities trying to get into this sport…Why are they not applying for jobs? Why are they not being fed from university?”

In June 2020, he set up The Hamilton Commission, a research partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering aimed at providing more young Black people with a route into motorsport through subjects such as science, mathematics, and technology.

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The Silver Arrows driver believes that as there is an increase of representation in the black or underprivileged communities, there will be more youngsters dreaming big to make it to the apex of motor sporting. Now their paying capacity will not be the defining factor. It will only be talent, as it should be.