Continuing in favor of diversity in Formula 1, Mercedes announced a partnership with the British organization AFBE-UK (Association of Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers) with the aim of involving black people and other ethnic minorities in the team.
The initiative is part of the team’s “Accelerate 25” project launched by the end of 2020, aiming to increase the number of racialized employees to 25% of their total workforce – today, the number is only 3%.
Stephanie Travers, Mercedes Fluid Engineer – Photo: Steve Atherington / Mercedes
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– As part of our commitment to improving diversity in our team and our sport, we seek organizations that can provide us with valuable knowledge and support. AFBE-UK’s vast experience is a perfect match, as we seek to expand our appeal and increase the diversity of talent within our team – said Paul Mills, Director of Human Resources at Mercedes.
Established in 2007 in the United Kingdom, AFBE-UK encourages the participation of black and racial students in the scientific and technical fields, in addition to supporting over 1500 engineers in the country.
In partnership with Mercedes, the team will include events and work experience events in addition to analyzing the main obstacles to involving racial people in motor sports.
Mercedes employees at Imola; The team has only 3% racial affiliates, a number he wants to increase – Photo: Mark Thompson / Getty Image
The seven-time constructor is engaged in promoting diversity inspired by champion Lewis Hamilton, who last year inspired F1 to form the “We Race as One” initiative (“We Run Like One”, in Portuguese). In 2020, the team exchanged traditional silver cars for blacks for the anti-racist struggle, keeping the current season.
– We are pleased to see that Mercedes is committed to building a team that reflects the world in which we live. An elite brand dedicated to this goal is a big leap for dedicated time and resource engineering. Boys and girls of all backgrounds can now dare to dream of being a part of the sport they saw growing up – celebrated by the organization’s founder, Mara-Tafadzwa Makoni.
Lewis Hamilton Mercedes GP Da Toscana F1 – Photo: Clive Mason / Formula 1 via Getty Image
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In partnership with the Royal British Academy of Engineering, Hamilton also created the “Hamilton Commission” in 2020 to identify barriers to racial access to motorsport and to propose alternatives. The co-founder of AFBE-UK is a member of the Naik Folion Commission.
Portuguese GP information and program – Photo: Infoesporte
We need Dr. It is also a pleasure to work with Naik Folian [co-fundadora do AFBE-UK] His role as Chairman of AFBE-UK and a member of the Commission Committee of the Hamilton Commission, a research project created by our driver Lewis Hamilton to identify and provide recommendations for the main barriers to the recruitment and progress of blacks in UK motoring. It is possible to overcome them.
