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Formula One launch #WeRaceAsOne initiative to 'fight inequality'

Formula One is pledging to “increase diversity and opportunity in the sport” with the #WeRace...
Stephen Doyle
Stephen Doyle

14.24 22 Jun 2020


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Formula One launch #WeRaceAsOn...

Formula One launch #WeRaceAsOne initiative to 'fight inequality'

Stephen Doyle
Stephen Doyle

14.24 22 Jun 2020


Share this article


Formula One is pledging to “increase diversity and opportunity in the sport” with the #WeRaceAsOne initiative that it announced on Monday.

Organisers will use the opening weekend of the rescheduled season in Austria on 3-5 July to show its gratitude to key workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

On the same weekend Formula One say there will be "visual displays of support in the fight against racism".

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"At our first race in Austria, Formula One will stand united to say loud and clear that racism must end," said F1 boss Chase Carey.

"We will show our full support in fighting inequality throughout the weekend and accelerate our own efforts to make Formula One more diverse and inclusive.

"As a global sport, we must represent the diversity and social concerns of our fans, but we also need to listen more and understand what needs to be done and get on with delivering."

The announcement comes after the sport's biggest star Lewis Hamilton criticised Formula One and his fellow drivers for "staying silent" following the death of American George Floyd last month.

"I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice," the Mercedes driver wrote on Instagram.

"Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white-dominated sport. I'm one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone."

The six-time world champion is the first and only black F1 world champion and he was backed by former HRT and Lotus Formula One driver Karun Chandhok, one of only two Indian drivers to have competed in the sport.

"Lewis's message really seemed to be that, it's not enough to be non-racist," said Chandhok.

"He was calling for people within the sport, especially those with a platform to speak publicly through social media and stuff, to be actively anti-racist and he's right."

The details of how F1 plans to come good on its pledges will be revealed later this week but the governing body is hoping to use its platform as an international sport to good effect.

"As Formula 1 returns 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," reads today's statement which is quite vague.

"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."

The statement adds: " 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."


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Chase Carey F1 Formula One Karun Chandhok Lewis Hamilton

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