Mercedes has announced the launch of the Accelerate 25 programme, which aims to increase the diversity within its team over the course of five years.
The reigning World Champions previously pledged to promote greater diversity within the organisation, including changing to an all-black livery at the start of the 2020 season.
As part of the programme, Mercedes aims to see at least 25 per cent of all new starters at the team to come from under-represented groups until the end of 2025.
It has also begun educating team members on the subject of diversity, with 200 recruiters at Mercedes completing Unconscious Bias training, while 150 managers have taken Diversity and Inclusion training.
Mercedes has also sought assistance from the EW Group, who specialises in workplace diversity and inclusion. It has undertaken an in-depth analysis of Mercedes’ recruitment process, with action plans now underway to reach under-represented groups.
A partnership with Stemettes has also been revealed, which aims to inspire the next generation of girls, young women and nonbinary young people into STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] fields.
“Before the start of this Formula 1 season, we made a commitment to use our global platform in Formula 1 to make a difference to the world around us through a carefully considered Diversity and Inclusion programme,” said Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff.
“Our legacy off the track is just as important to this team as the success that we have achieved with our historic seventh consecutive world championship this year.
“We have a real opportunity to drive the change that we all want to see in our sport through strengthening an inclusive and diverse culture at our team and using our platform to take that thinking beyond just our factory.”
Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton added: “In what has been a really tough year for everyone, I am incredibly proud of my team as we reach the end of such an intense season.
“Not only have we made history on the track, but they have joined me in pushing for change off the track, by working to make our team and our sport more diverse.
“We have made some positive strides this year which I’m proud of, however we still have a long way to go and I know Accelerate 25 will give us the platform to deliver more meaningful change.
“I truly believe this will have a measurable and long-lasting impact on the face of sport for generations to come.”
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