FIA F1 Worldchampionship: Formula 1 launches #WeRaceAsOne initiative to improve opportunities and have a positive impact on the world we life in - NAANII GLOBAL Luxury/Quality Family Lifestyle MAGAZINE 'en Vogue' - NAANII GLOBAL Quality & Luxury Family Lifestyle - MAGAZINE 'en Vogue'-

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As Formula 1 returns in July 2020 - after a four-month break, we believe we must return with added purpose and determination to tackle the major issues that we as a sport, but also society, are facing.

Those issues are important to the longer-term future of our sport, but equally have a major impact on the communities we race in and countries around the world.

* Last November we launched our sustainability strategy to make our sport net zero carbon by 2030, improve diversity and inclusion in Formula 1 and to support communities.
* Recent events have reinforced the importance of those issues and the need for us take action to make our sport better, improve opportunity and to have a positive impact on the world we live in.

In recent months, the whole world has come together as one collective community in the fight against COVID-19 and it has brought out the best in human nature. In recent weeks people from all walks of life have united in their condemnation of racism and inequality, something that has no place in our modern world.

We believe that as the first international sport to return we can make a difference and use our voice to address these vital issues. As a member of the global FIA motor sport family, we acknowledge its Fundamental Principles Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination.

That is why today, ahead of our season start, Formula 1 announces our new #WeRaceAsOne initiative, in support of the #PurposeDriven Movement launched by the FIA last week.
This initiative will be the platform for the priorities set out above and is aimed at tackling the biggest issues facing our sport and global communities. It will not be a one week or one-year theme that disappears as issues disappear from headlines, it will underpin the Formula 1 strategy to make a tangible difference in our sport and society.

Recognising the two major issues dominating society’s consciousness at this time, COVID-19, and inequality we will use our opening race to thank people around the world for the incredible strength and fortitude they have shown against a global pandemic.

Everyone from key workers through to families and individuals that have endured lockdown to tackle the virus deserve our thanks and gratitude. Equally we want to use our
restart to show that we as a sporting community stand united against racism and are doing more to address inequality and diversity in Formula 1.

Therefore, ahead of our first race in Austria on 3-5 July and with the support of the teams and our partners Formula 1 will be saying thank you to key workers and individuals around the world by displaying rainbows on the Formula 1 cars and around the race circuit with the hashtag #WeRaceAsOne.
The rainbow has been chosen as it has become a symbol used internationally in the recent crisis to bring communities together.
We believe this important gesture will encourage our fans to join us in saying thank you.

The rainbow initiative will continue throughout the season.
During the race weekend in Austria we will take a stand against racism. This will include visual displays of support in the fight against racism. In addition to the visual display of support we will also announce later this week clear pledges to increase diversity and opportunity in our sport.
This will include setting up a Formula 1 Task Force that will listen to people from across the paddock, including the drivers, as well as externals and make conclusions on the actions required to improve the diversity and opportunity in Formula 1 at all levels.
Further details of the Task Force will be set out in the coming weeks and the visual displays of support at the first race will be seen for the first time during the race weekend.



Following the launch of Formula 1’s #WeRaceAsOne initiative, we are today setting out
further measures to increase the diversity and inclusion across Formula 1.

Last November Formula 1 set out its ambitious sustainability, diversity, and inclusion strategy to improve the long-term future of our sport. This included creating a more inclusive and diverse culture within Formula 1 and attracting more diverse talent across technical, commercial, corporate, and on-air roles.

Additionally, the plan, in partnership with the FIA, looks at promoting a diverse driver talent pipeline by identifying and systematically eliminating barriers to entry from grass roots karting to Formula 1.

As set out in our #WeRaceAsOne announcement, recent events have reinforced the importance of those issues and the need for us to accelerate and take further action to make our sport better, improve opportunity and have a positive impact on the world we live in.

We announced earlier this week we will be establishing a Task Force to listen and identify the right initiatives required to increase diversity and inclusion across Formula 1. The Task Force will be established over the next few months and will include input from the drivers and teams, as well as external diversity and inclusion experts.

The Task Force will be specifically focussed at identifying the employment and education
opportunities for under-represented groups across Formula 1, including STEM careers, and the required actions to address these findings.

Alongside the Task Force we will also take initial action to create a foundation to finance primarily, but not exclusively, internships and apprenticeships within Formula 1 for under-represented groups to ensure they have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and have access to a promising career in the sport.

The start-up funding for this foundation will be $1m and will be provided in full by a personal contribution from Formula 1 Chairman and CEO, Chase Carey.
We hope that the funding will grow over time to support more interns and scholarship opportunities in the future.
We believe that as a truly international sport we can make a difference by using our voice and determination to address these vital issues. We are a sport that represents millions of global fans and we must ensure we are as diverse and inclusive in our own community as the communities we serve around the world.

Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO, Formula 1, said:
“We fully recognise that Formula 1 needs to be more inclusive and diverse. While we set out our strategy last year to improve the position of our sport, we need, and want, to do more. That is why we will establish a Task Force to listen and ensure the right initiatives are identified to increase diversity in Formula 1. We want to ensure we give people from all backgrounds the best chances to work in Formula 1 regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical abilities. We are therefore also taking the initial step
of creating a foundation to support key educational and employment opportunities across Formula 1 that will give under-represented talent the chance to work in this incredible sport and build an exciting career.”

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