Lewis Hamilton, one of the most vocal proponents for diversity in motorsport, enthusiastically supported the all-female F1 Academy Series when others did not. Hamilton recently claimed that he wanted to form a new Formula One team that will be gender diverse from the outset. However, driver Sophia Floersch has criticised Hamilton, implying that all words and no action are useless for women on the racetrack.
Lewis Hamilton has consistently advocated inclusivity, and anti-racism in Formula One. In 2020, he established The Hamilton Commission, a research program aimed at addressing hurdles for persons of colour in motorsport. He made significant investments in promoting diversity in motorsports with this project. In 2021, the Mercedes star established Mission 44, a philanthropic foundation dedicated to uplifting youth from impoverished situations. He committed £20 million during the launch.
He continued to invest in the campaign. Mission 44 collaborates with the Hamilton Commission. In 2022, it was reported that he donated approximately €23,000,000 to charities. Hamilton’s net worth of $300,000,000 indicates that he gave away approximately 6-7% of his total assets. In addition to his generous donations, he has actively promoted diversity in racing and around the world. Floersch competed in F3, a feeder series for F1.
Rookie Critiques a Legend
Sophia failed to advance to F2, the final stage before reaching the pinnacle of motorsport. To be fair, her performance was never exceptional enough to warrant a promotion. Her criticism of Hamilton’s statement drew a lot of anger. It’s difficult to tell whether Floersch was merely venting her displeasure or implying deep-seated issues in the sport and society at large that have hindered women’s participation.
Fans, on the other hand, are rallying behind Lewis Hamilton, claiming that he will undoubtedly walk the walk and eventually form a gender-diverse team. According to Motorsport.com’s official X account, Lewis Hamilton has expressed interest in forming an F1 team with two female drivers from diverse backgrounds. Floersch wrote, “Put your money where your mouth is.”
