F1 announces new initiative to tackle racism and inequality

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F1 announces new initiative to tackle racism and inequality

Jerome Pugmire

Published Monday, June 22, 2020 10:27AM EDT

In this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 file photo, CEO of the Formula One Group, Chase Carey arrives prior to the third free practice at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy. Formula One races won't be canceled if a driver tests positive for the coronavirus or if a team withdraws, CEO Chase Carey says. F1 is keen to avoid a repeat of the season opener in Australia in March, which was canceled when McLaren withdrew after a staff member tested positive for the virus. The season is now set to start with two races in Austria on July 5 and 12. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

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PARIS -- Formula One announced an initiative on Monday aimed at tackling racism and encouraging more diversity within the series.

F1 said in a statement that 鈥淲e Race As One鈥� will also address issues surrounding inequality, sustainability and the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to four F1 races being cancelled and delayed the season's start from mid-March to July.

F1 intends to send a strong message about equality when the season begins on July 3 at the Austrian Grand Prix, the first of eight scheduled European races through early September.

鈥淲e want our restart to show that as a sporting community we stand united against racism and we will do more to address inequality and diversity in F1,鈥� the statement said.

The announcement comes after six-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton said he is setting up a commission to increase diversity in motorsports.

Hamilton is the only black driver in F1. He has spoken widely about racism in recent weeks after saying he was left feeling 鈥渟o much anger, sadness and disbelief鈥� following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.

The 35-year-old British driver attended a protest march as part of the Black Lives Matter movement in London on Sunday. Hamilton previously criticized F1 for staying silent on racism, prompting a flurry of support on Twitter from F1 drivers such as Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo.

鈥淚 saw people I respected choosing to say nothing and it broke my heart. It's why I had to speak out,鈥� Hamilton wrote in British newspaper The Sunday Times. 鈥淭he unchanged make-up of the F1 community throughout my career makes it feel like only a certain type of person is truly welcome in this sport, one who looks a certain way, comes from a certain background, fits a particular mould and plays by certain unwritten rules.鈥�

F1 chairman Chase Carey pledged to do more and rapidly improve equality in F1.

鈥淎s a global sport we must represent the diversity and social concerns of our fans,鈥� Carey said, 鈥渂ut we also need to listen more and understand what needs to be done and get on with delivering.鈥�