- Ignite to develop STEM curriculum materials and provide financial support to students
- Programme to be supported by ‘multi-million dollar fund’ created by Hamilton and Mercedes
- Announcement follows release of The Hamilton Commission
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has unveiled a new charitable initiative alongside his team, Mercedes-AMG Petronas.
The programme, called 'Ignite', aims to improve diversity and inclusion within motorsport by developing STEM education in schools.
This announcement follows the release of The Hamilton Commission, an in-depth study on diversity in motorsport, which recommended several changes to improve opportunities for Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students.
Ignite, which will target students across the UK, will develop STEM curriculum materials, improve the diversity of STEM educators to act as role models, enhance education opportunities around STEM and motorsport, and provide financial support to students who wish to enter a STEM field but do not have the means.
Ignite will initially be supported by a multi-million dollar fund financed by Hamilton and Mercedes, and will work closely with the driver's own foundation, Mission 44.
“Mercedes have long supported my ambition to improve diversity and inclusion within the motorsport industry,” said Hamilton. “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 One, and I am proud that my work with Mercedes is going to change that for the better.”
The programme will help improve STEM education in schools.
