Hamilton and Mercedes launch Ignite for more diversity in motorsport

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes F1 have teamed up to launch a charity initiative called Ignite to support more diversity and inclusivity in motorsport. The team announced this in an official press release.

Earlier this month, the recommendations of the Hamilton Commission, started by the seven-time world champion, came out to figure out the lack of diversity in motorsport. Building on these recommendations Ignite will focus on increasing and supporting diverse talent in the motorsport industry.

Hamilton wants changes in motorsport

Hamilton says in the press release: "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", he ends.

Ignite is an addition to Mercedes

The body will be funded by a multi-million-pound fund set up by Hamilton and the Mercedes team and will also work closely with Hamilton's personal foundation, Mission 44.

Team boss Toto Wolff also commented in the press release: "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", said Wolff.