Way before, Lewis Hamilton had seven world championship titles. Way before he even announced himself to the world with his incredible debut season with McLaren. The boy from Stevenage saw the likes of Tiger Woods and the Williams sisters break the pattern and imagined a brighter future. The bright future of diversity in Formula 1.

Ever since Hamilton’s debut in 2007, 56 other drivers have also made their debut in Formula 1. However, even as we head into 2023, Hamilton remains the only driver of color. This daunting reality is something the world champion wants to change and works actively towards.

This change might not have been an agenda on Hamilton’s list early on in his career. However, two women of equal caliber and similar backgrounds influenced the world champion.

Speaking about the things he’d like to see changed in Formula 1 in 2021 with the Wall Street Journal, Hamilton talked about the two women. “My dad and I would watch people like Tiger [Woods] who kind of broke the mold, and we watched in admiration. The Williams sisters (Serena and Venus) also did the same,” he said. “We’re like, ‘Oh if we could do something like that, that’s going to help change the industry moving forward.’ ”

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Serena and Venus Williams inspired Hamilton by excelling in their sport and becoming an example for the coming generation. Hamilton aimed to emulate the same. However, the Mercedes man is still the only driver of color in the sport’s history.

Indeed, this has motivated Hamilton to take steps to ensure the future is different.

Lewis Hamilton paving the way for diversity in the future

The absolute absence or lack of diversity has always been a question on Hamilton’s mind. This curiosity gave birth to the Hamilton Commission. A study that went into the roots of the issue of lack of diversity in motorsport.

The findings of the study then paved the way for Mission 44, a charitable foundation by Hamilton. The purpose of the charity is to encourage young students of color to pick up STEM-based educational programs so they can make their way to Formula 1. If not drivers, Hamilton can at least help produce engineers.

This is one of the many avenues through which Hamilton aims to increase diversity in motorsport.

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It might take some time before we see the results of Hamilton’s efforts. However, do you think this will ensure we see another driver of color in F1?