Formula 1 is finally underway after the longest lapse in its racing history.
However, the sport returns to not only provide us with exhilarating racing action but also to provide us with fresh perspectives and a brand-new pledge to allow for an improvement of diversity in the world’s second greatest sporting program.
The initiative has taken shape amidst the current global protests around the world in support of Black Lives Matter and the resulting focus that has shone a light upon racism and discrimination within sports.
These changes have also resulted in the redesigning and renewing of several of the team’s liveries, obviously the most striking being the Mercedes Benz teams, formally known as āSilver Arrowsā, which usually sports a striking silver and teal colour scheme has rebranded to an all-black scheme in support of the BLM movement.
Spearheaded by current F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, the #WeRaceAsOne initiative was launched last week, along with a new Task Force specifically focused at identifying the employment and education opportunities for under-represented groups in motorsport.
The SPARK that got the wheels turning
Hamilton, the first-ever Black superstar in Formula 1 history, is really taking the lead on this new approach to the sport. He has already started by pulling together racing teams, the authoritative body of Formula 1, its CEOās and organisers as well to get involved in this revolutionary change in motorsport history.
The six-time world champion has always been vocal of his support with the worldwide movement that is #BlackLivesMatter, and the spark in this now raging fire was first lit when news broke out of the murder of George Floyd and the resulting protests against Police Brutality that ensued.
It began with a post on Instagram on Lewisā feed during this charged time, condemning the acts of violence against George Floyd and garnering the support of his fellow drivers to speak up and support the fight against inequality which has now resulted in a revolutionary step in the right direction.
Speaking to SkySports F1 in an interview, Lewis Hamilton opened up about his experiences in the sport and the racism as well as hardship that he had to face in his early stages in racing as a young up and coming Black driver in a majority white sport.
āIt was very much like at school, there are 1500 kids and of which a handful are Black, and therefore you feel quite alone. Youāre led to feel like you donāt particularly fit into society and the situation is the same in Formula 1ā Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.
But he personally believes that Formula 1 can be a driver for change in the status quo.
He added: āThe sport wants to build a legacy that goes beyond sport and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our business, it will send a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change.ā
A Change in colour
Lewis Hamilton and his team-mate Valterri Bottas will sport new helmet designs in support of this positive change while Hamilton has also been influential in getting his Mercedes team to show their support by changing their famous silver livery to a Black design for 2020.
In a video released on his social media, Hamiltonās new lid incorporates a contrasting purple and black design and the powerful message of the BLM movement. –
The two drivers will also adorn black race suits this year, instead of their usual white, an empowering symbol of the teamās commitment to fighting racism and discrimination.
In a strong show of corroboration to the initiative, a number of other teams too have made changes to their liveries in support of Formula 1ās #WeRaceAsOne initiative.
By Randev Jayasinha