Five Black scholars now working in Formula One teams as Hamilton-backed scheme expands
The move follows a 2021 report which found just 1% of the sport’s workforce was Black
Five of the 13 graduates supported through a motorsport engineering scholarship backed by sports icon Sir Lewis Hamilton are now working in Formula One teams, organisers have confirmed.
Two others are working elsewhere in the motorsport sector, while one has secured a role in engineering more broadly.
All 13 graduates were from Black or mixed-Black backgrounds.
The MSc Motorsport Scholarship, funded by Mission 44 and delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering, supported two cohorts between 2023 and 2025.
Mission 44 was launched in 2021 by Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One World Champion and the first and only Black driver in the sport’s 76-year history.
The charity focuses on widening access to education and STEM careers for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
When asked how long-term progression will be measured, a spokesperson told Black Current News that scholars are supported for two years after graduation and remain part of an alumni network designed to push them into leadership roles.
“Mission 44 and the programme partners work with scholars for two years after graduation to help them secure engineering roles - but the relationship doesn’t end there,” they said.
“Crucial to the scholarship are the network-building skills and opportunities students receive while on the course and the access to alumni networks they receive afterwards.
“They become part of the Mission 44 DNA, telling their own success stories to encourage other young people into STEM careers and post-graduate studies.”
Hamilton has spoken openly about experiencing racism from childhood through to the highest levels of the sport.
The scholarship provides financial support and structured career development to those undertaking a Master’s degree in motorsport or related engineering disciplines.
Following an evaluation, the initiative has now expanded for the 2026/27 academic year.
The number of fully funded scholarships has increased from eight to 12, with each award worth up to £43,000.
The eligibility criteria have also been widened.
While the pilot focused on Black and mixed-Black candidates, the scheme will now prioritise women and those from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds, regardless of ethnicity.
Career training will be delivered by Driven By Us, with mentoring led by the Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers.
The initiative follows recommendations from The Hamilton Commission, established by Hamilton to investigate the underrepresentation of Black people in UK motorsport and the wider STEM sector.
Its 2021 report found that just 1% of employees in Formula One were from Black backgrounds, despite the industry supporting thousands of roles across engineering, aerodynamics, data science, manufacturing, strategy, logistics and team operations.
Formula One is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition, but behind each team sits a vast technical workforce responsible for designing, building and analysing cars that compete at the highest level of global sport.
Disadvantaged students remain 44% less likely to progress to advanced STEM study compared to their peers, while women make up around 10% of the motorsport workforce.
So, widening access to postgraduate study is seen as critical to shifting who enters the industry.
Applications close on 4 May 2026. Visit here for more information.
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