Two years ago, we partnered with the Royal Academy of Engineering, with the support of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, to develop the MSc Motorsport Scholarship programme. The aim was to break down barriers and increase diversity in motorsport, providing financial and career support to talented students from Black or mixed Black backgrounds. These scholarships are already having a positive impact, with three out of the five scholars securing graduate roles at Aston Martin Automotive and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains.

Motorsport Scholars, Benjamin, Jonathan, Nevin, Laila and Amjad, were welcomed to Silverstone by Lewis Hamilton, who shared some inspirational words to support their future careers and roles as ambassadors for greater diversity in the sport. The group were then given a guided tour of the F1 paddock, including a behind-the-scenes look into the operations of F1 Onboard, a tour of the Mercedes F1 Team garage and an opportunity to meet with some of their trackside engineers. The day concluded with a networking lunch to connect with peers, including the F1 Engineering Scholars, Extreme E STEM Ambassadors and an FIA Engineering Scholar, alongside representatives from Formula 1, several F1 teams, Formula E, Extreme E and other STEM employers.

The Scholars were then able to enjoy the racing action over the weekend, courtesy of our partner, Driven By Us, and witnessed Lewis Hamilton win his home race for a record-breaking ninth time. The inspirational moment was amplified by the special edition Mission 44 helmet being worn as he crossed the line, representing our joint mission to create opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue great careers in STEM and motorsport.

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