Motorsport UK relaunches its Race for Diversity campaign

Race for Diversity aims to increase the participation of 14-24-year-olds from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, as well as those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in motorsport through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths) interventions in classrooms.

The programme works with five schools across London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, supporting young people in their passion for the sport. 

So far this year 300 students have been involved, taking part in schools alongside external, “in-situ” experiences at events including the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard and the Goodwood Revival.

Lewis Hamilton’s Mission 44 charity has been a strong supporter; the Hamilton Commission, the findings of which were published in 2021, reported that less than 1 per cent of people in Formula 1 are from Black backgrounds, while Motorsport UK research found that license holders of ethnically diverse backgrounds make up less than 3 per cent of the membership.

Evelkah Powell, Race for Diversity Manager, said: “This isn’t just another diversity initiative; rather, it drives the legacy and impact of motorsport. By engaging and inspiring talent at an early stage, we can work towards creating a more inclusive, safe, fun, and diverse motorsport industry.”