Mercedes F1 And Lewis Hamilton Launch Ignite Diversity Initiative

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Sir Lewis Hamilton have launched Ignite, a new joint charitable initiative to support greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport.

Building on the recent recommendations of The Hamilton Commission, Ignite will focus its work on increasing the pipeline of more diverse talent aiming to enter the motorsport industry – and igniting and inspiring enthusiasm for motorsport through STEM education.

The UK-based initiative will aim to develop STEM curriculum materials and also seek to create more diverse educators to be role models for students from under-represented groups in STEM. 

It will also aim to enhance ‘education enrichment opportunities’ around STEM and motorsport, and provide financial support to talented and motivated students wishing to pursue careers in STEM and motorsport but who don’t have the means.

Ignite will initially be funded by a multi-million-dollar fund created by Hamilton and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, and will work closely with the seven-time F1 champion’s personal foundation, Mission 44, to deliver results for the team and the wider UK motorsport industry.

“I am delighted today that we can finally talk about our plans for the Ignite initiative,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

“Since we announced our intention with Lewis at the start of the year to create a joint project, a great deal of work and discussion has taken place in the background to refine our aims and our mission. 

“Opening up motorsport and becoming a more diverse and inclusive team are fundamental to our team’s values and, with the full support of Mercedes-Benz, we are committed to making a positive impact on society and building a platform from which future generations can access and enjoy our fantastic sport. 

“Ignite will complement our team’s own Accelerate 25 programme, and through these platforms we hope to see much more talent from under-represented groups both join our team and take up careers in the wider motorsport industry.”

Hamilton added: “Mercedes have long supported my ambition to improve diversity and inclusion within the motorsport industry. I am so thrilled that, through Ignite, we are able to formally work together to achieve this. 

“Diverse workforces are not only more successful but are also the morally correct approach for any industry. The findings of The Hamilton Commission have provided us a fantastic base to begin our work, and I am confident that Ignite will result in real, tangible change within motorsport. For 15 years, I have remained one of the few Black employees within Formula 1, and I am proud that my work with Mercedes is going to change that for the better.”