According to a statement released by Formula 1 on Thursday, Mission 44, a charity established in 2021 by Sir Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time FIA Formula 1 World Champion, will now be officially supported by Formula 1. This partnership aims to strengthen their collaboration and build upon their successful relationship over the years.
Mission 44, since its inception, has been dedicated to advocating for greater representation, diversity, and inclusion in the world of motorsport. Their focus is on creating significant change for young individuals who face social injustice by providing them with educational, empowering, and employment opportunities.
Formula 1 has closely collaborated with Mission 44 to address the challenges surrounding diversity and inclusion in the sport. They have supported the charity in organizing once-in-a-lifetime experiences for students from underrepresented groups and underserved communities. The aim is to inspire these students to consider careers in STEM and motorsport. Last year, Mission 44 and Formula 1 successfully conducted outreach programs in Austin, Silverstone, and São Paulo, benefiting over 150 young people.
As an officially supported charity, Formula 1 will assist Mission 44 in raising awareness about their work and connecting them with various organizations within the motorsport industry. This collaboration aims to identify apprenticeships and similar opportunities for young individuals from underrepresented groups.
Furthermore, Formula 1 has announced that during the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2024, they will be hosting a unique networking event in partnership with Mission 44. This event will bring together scholars from the Formula 1 Engineering and Mission 44 MSc Motorsport Engineering scholarship programs. The objective is to facilitate knowledge sharing and contribute to the professional development of these students. Both scholarship programs provide crucial financial and career support to increase opportunities in motorsport for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Ellen Jones, the Head of ESG at Formula 1, expressed her pleasure in supporting Mission 44’s efforts to promote diversity and provide young people with exposure to the world of F1 and motorsport. She looks forward to working with Mission 44 in this new capacity and hopes to open doors that inspire the next generation.
Jason Arthur, the CEO of Mission 44, highlighted the organization’s ambition to create a fairer and more inclusive future for young people worldwide when it was launched by Lewis Hamilton three years ago. Through their partnership with Formula 1, they aim to increase awareness and access to career opportunities in motorsport, ensuring that young individuals from all backgrounds can succeed. They believe that collective action is necessary to drive diversity in motorsport forward and are excited about expanding their partnership with Formula 1.
