Hamilton's diversity programme hands out first scholarships

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes launched a campaign for more diversity in motorsport called Ignite. Now, almost a year later, the governing body Motorsport UK and the Royal Academy of Engineering are receiving half a million pounds.

Hamilton and Mercedes have been working for years to promote diversity and inclusion in motorsport. The team drove a black car for two years as a statement against racism and together they founded Ignite a year ago. A year later Ignite can distribute its first grants and Motorsport UK and the Royal Academy of Engineering can add €578,000 to its account.

The money will be used by the two organisations to support new programmes aimed at increasing female participation in motorsport and masters-level scholarships in motorsport for black students.

Hamilton himself explains why these scholarships were chosen. "They focus on supporting individuals from two important and underrepresented communities. This brings us closer to our goal of increasing the number of women and black talent in the sport," said the seven-time world champion according to the Austrian branch of Sky Sports.