Brawn wants to improve diversity in F1: "Starting at grassroots level"

According to Ross Brawn, the lack of diversity in Formula 1 starts at the base of racing. F1 now comes up with an action plan to address the lack.

Hamilton shows dissatisfaction

The world has been shaken by protests over the murder of George Floyd. Lewis Hamilton criticised his colleagues for the silence and that he stood up for the case alone. A number of drivers responded with expressions of support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Formula 1 itself stated in a statement that they are also behind Hamilton. "I think we as F1 have recognised for a few years now that we want to strengthen our diversity, and our diversity programme", says Brawn to Sky Sports F1. Brawn says that F1 has been working on a so-called diversity program for several years.

Karting program

"Our thoughts were that the reason why we don't have more diversity in Formula 1 starts at the very beginning. It starts at grassroots level, and it even starts in schools", Brawn continues. Brawn also lets us know that more and more girls are becoming interested in F1 at a young age. He calls that a good start.

Brawn reveals that F1 has been working on a karting program to try to make racing more accessible, to promote diversity. "I've spent the last weeks and months working with a group to look at how we can have a really basic karting initiative to get kids involved in karting at a very early stage."