Many Americans may have never heard of Formula 1 racing before, but its popularity on a global scale is undeniable. According to an article from Pledge Sports, Formula 1 ranks as the 7th most popular sport globally. Due to its global dominance, one would think that there is be a reasonable amount of diversity in the sport. However, this is not the case. As the sport looks to gain popularity worldwide by attracting diverse audiences, Formula 1 needs to attract more diverse drivers to the race track.
What Does the Data Say About Formula 1 Diversity?
Data taken from the Formula 1 official website lists the top 21 drivers currently as of December of 2021. Among the top 21 formula 1 drivers, there are only two people who are non-white. Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain is black, and Yuki Tsunoda of Japan is Asian.
Who is Lewis Hamilton?
Lewis Hamilton, currently ranked number 2 in the formula 1 top 21 rankings, has broken records since starting his professional career in 2007. According to an article by Insider, Hamilton is formula 1’s “first and only” black driver. He has also been incredibly successful in racing since 2007. He is the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, winning 100 races at the Russian Grand Prix. His most recent race, the Formula One championship, took place earlier this month and was a nail-biter to the very end. The Washington Post reported that it came down to a final winner-take-all race and one lap of racing. However, Hamilton was defeated by his younger rival, Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, and the current world number 1 ranked F1 driver. Even though Hamilton experienced a hard-fought loss, he is undoubtedly the all-time greatest formula 1 driver among fans and commentators alike.
How Has Lewis Hamilton Impacted Formula 1?
Lewis Hamilton has been a huge critic of the lack of diversity in formula 1 racing. He has continually advocated for an increase in Formula 1 diversity. According to Insider, Hamilton said he is “driven by a desire to make the sport more open to people who aren’t from the traditional moneyed elite that makes up much of Formula One’s grid.” In addition to calling for increased diversity in the sport, Hamilton has also been a staunch advocate for equality. He has also publicly supported social justice organizations such as Black Lives Matter following the murder of George Floyd.
What Can Formula 1 do to Increase its Diversity?
Formula 1 diversity for drivers starts with the diversity of the fans. Historically, Formula 1 has been primarily a European sport and one of the most popular. The release of the hit Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive ”brought the sport to the attention of many Americans. The show follows the lives of many of the top-ranked formula 1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton. In the United States, people don’t typically watch racing, and if they do, it is usually NASCAR. However, this show has attracted more Americans to watch F1 races year-round. According to Racer.com, records of audience ratings are constantly being broken. This past summer, a race in Hungary resulted in the seventh-largest cable audience on record in the US.
Due to the increased global audience, Formula 1 should make a concerted effort to increase diversity among its drivers. With the influence of drivers like Lewis Hamilton, children worldwide can aspire to become formula one drivers, knowing that they can make it.
