Lewis Hamilton has done a lot of positive work on diversity in Formula 1. Former McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh feels in hindsight that he could have done more about it himself.
Whitmarsh is a member of The Hamilton Commission which has recently been formed. "There's a bit of arrogance in Formula One, and I'm sure I've been guilty of feeling like 'I've made it and if I can do that, anyone with enough ambition, willpower and dedication can make it'," he said in conversation with The Race.
Whitmarsh himself no witness to racism in Formula 1
"That's how I got into Formula One," Whitmarsh continued. "But it didn't occur to me that there are big sections of society who are disadvantaged, ethnic minorities from poor backgrounds who don't feel invited. And therefore they don’t go knock on the door and they’re not inspired to go and do that education."
The former McLaren team boss admits he has not observed any cases of racism in his long Formula One career, but that it is nevertheless important to raise awareness of the issue. "In 25 years I can't remember an incident where I thought 'that decision is based on a racist belief'. But on the other hand, to my great shame because I was a leader in the sport for quite a few years, I didn’t have enough conscious thought in just looking around. We are very international, but we don't represent the society from which we attract these people."