F1 star Hamilton to set up commission to increase diversity

Six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is to set up a commission to increase diversity in motorsport.

Mercedes driver said aim of Hamilton Commission would be to make sport “become as diverse as complex and multicultural world we live in.”

Writing in British newspaper Sunday Times, Hamilton said it would be a research partnership dedicated to exploring how motorsport can be used as a vehicle to “eng more young people from Black backgrounds with science, techlogy, engineering and mamatics (STEM) subjects and, ultimately, employ m on our teams or in or engineering sectors.”

“I’ve been fighting stigma of racism throughout my racing career — from kids throwing things at me while karting, to being taunted by fans in black face at a 2007 grand prix, one of my first Formula One races,” he wrote.

“I’m used to being one of very few people of color on my teams and, more than that, I’m used to idea that one will speak up for me when I face racism, because one personally feels or understands my experience.”

Hamilton, who is only Black world champion in F1, has spoken widely about racism after saying he was left feeling “so much anger, sadness and disbelief” following killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.

He wrote in paper that “institutional barriers that have kept F1 highly exclusive persist,” adding that thousands of people employed in motorsport need to be more representative of society.

“Winning championships is great, but I want to be remembered for my work creating a more equal society through education”, he added