Formula One announces restructuring of its #WeRaceAsOne initiative

Formula One has confirmed that it would continue its #WeRaceAsOne initiative in 2021 with the sustainability, the diversity and inclusion and the community named as key pillars of the programme.

Formula One launched a fantastic initiative in 2020 which ran under the name of We Race As One. The campaign was set to support the PurposeDriven Movement launched by the FIA. The initiative was created in June last year, just a few weeks before the pandemic-delayed 2020 F1 season kicked off at July 5 in Austria.

By launching this initiative, Formula One intended to show its determination to tackle the major issues that the sport and the whole society are currently facing.

A statement outlining the new plan said: “On our return to racing in 2020 we wanted to recognise the two major issues dominating society’s consciousness during that time, COVID-19, and inequality.

“Throughout the season we paid tribute to people around the world for the incredible strength and fortitude shown against the global pandemic. The rainbow was chosen by Formula 1 to sit alongside #WeRaceAsOne as it became a symbol used internationally to bring communities together. Equally we used our restart to show that we as a sporting community stand united against racism and are doing more to address inequality and diversity in Formula 1.

The sport has confirmed in its statement that it would drop the rainbow branding from its campaign in 2021.

“This was highlighted at every race with the twenty drivers uniting in their support of ending racism before the start of the race. We plan to include a moment before the start of each race this season to show our united support for important issues and will be discussing this with the drivers and the teams ahead of the start of the season. This season the rainbow will no longer feature alongside the #WeRaceAsOne platform.”

“This season the rainbow will no longer feature alongside the #WeRaceAsOne platform. While the COVID-19 pandemic is still an ongoing battle, we are focussing the platform on the three core pillars of our ESG strategy: sustainability, diversity & inclusion, and community.

Formula One has also confirmed that the ambitious goals set out in 2019 will also remain part of the campaign with sustainability forming a key pillar of the programme.

“In 2019, Formula 1 set out its ambitious sustainability, diversity, and inclusion strategy to improve the long-term future of our sport. This included our commitment to be net zero carbon as a sport by 2030 and create a more inclusive and diverse culture across Formula 1, attracting more diverse talent across technical, commercial, corporate, and on-air roles.

“Additionally, the plan, in partnership with the FIA, looks at promoting a diverse driver talent pipeline by identifying and systematically eliminating barriers to entry from grass roots karting to Formula 1.

"As set out in our #WeRaceAsOne announcement last year, recent events have reinforced the importance of those issues and the need for us to accelerate and take further action to make our sport better, improve opportunity and have a positive impact on the world we live in.”

This new commitment will see Formula 1, the FIA, and the Teams primarily focus on nine key areas:

• Creating a clear path towards sustainably fuelled hybrid engines, something that will be of significant importance to not only the sport but the automotive sector.
• Reducing the amount of single-use plastic bottles and cutlery and food waste in the pit and paddock.
• Rolling out internships and apprenticeships within Formula 1 for under-represented groups to provide access to a promising career in the sport.
• Funding scholarships for talented engineering students from diverse and underprivileged backgrounds with work experience opportunities at F1 and the Teams during their studies
• Growing F1 in Schools – already the world’s leading school-age STEM education challenge
• Working with our promoters around the world to establish and deliver programmes that leave a positive and lasting community impact.
• Helping to grow awareness and support for the W Series and the talented young female drivers coming through the ranks
• Moving towards new freight methods through adapting containers for use on modern aircraft and other modes of transport.
• Continuing to develop our remote operations capabilities where action to date has already eliminated c.70 tonnes of freight being taken to each race.

Commenting on the announcement, President and CEO of Formula One, Stefano Domenicali said: “Our WeRaceAsOne platform was very effective at raising the awareness of socially important issues and our steadfast commitment to make a positive change. We are very proud of it and the teams have embraced it fully.

“While our commitment through words to tackling issues like sustainability and diversity in our sport are important, it is our actions that we will be judged on. We have already made good progress on our sustainability plans and you will see strong actions being executed this year across all three of our WRAO pillars.

“We know we must continue to move forward on these issues and the whole sport is united in doing this in the months and years ahead,” he concluded.