Hamilton Commission Report Launch - July 2021

Today the #AcceleratingChange report from The #HamiltonCommission is live. Proud to have made a small contribution to this report. Sharing my personal life experiences, career progression and barriers faced in wider society . Now for action.

The research, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering over a period of 10 months - since October 2020, included a survey of ~2,450 young people, over a third of whom were from Black backgrounds, and interviews with 100 young people, as well as a detailed literature review, data analysis, and interviews with 100 stakeholders across motorsport, engineering and all phases of education.

As a result of this detailed research, an evidence-based report has been crafted which includes chapters exploring Formula 1 and the UK motorsport sector, young Black people’s interest in engineering and motorsport, attainment and progression of young Black students in STEM subjects at school, , in post-16 education and higher education leading to motorsport jobs. The Commission, which was co-Chaired by Sir Lewis Hamilton and Royal Academy CEO, Dr Hayaatun Sillem, also engaged a 14-strong Board of Commissioners from relevant fields including motorsport, politics, education and engineering, who have each helped to inform and shape the report and its findings.

While the research focused on the talent pipeline for Black students entering motorsport via engineering, factors within wider society, some of which are systemic in nature, as well as practices within the motorsport industry were found to have an impact.

The Commission has identified 10 recommendations it believes will have long-lasting and positive impact on the motorsport industry and encourage more young Black students to pursue subjects which lead to careers in engineering.