(Reuters) – Formula 1 champion Mercedes presented black-painted cars for the 2020 season on Monday to further improve the diversity in the team and in the world of motorsport.
Mercedes has traditionally raced in silver throughout Formula 1, but will switch to black and shape the halo of both cars with “End Racism”.
The team said the Black Lives Matter movement “shed a light on how much we need new measures and measures to fight racism and all forms of discrimination”.
The new livery will make its debut when British world champion Lewis Hamilton and Finnish team-mate Valtteri Bottas are at the Austrian Grand Prix for the season opening on Sunday.
“Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a basic belief at Mercedes,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff in a statement here
“But having the right convictions and the right attitude is not enough if we are silent.
“We want to use our voice and our global platform to advocate respect and equality. The Silver Arrow will run in black throughout the 2020 season to demonstrate our commitment to diversity in our team and in our sport.”
According to Mercedes, only 3% of the workforce belong to ethnic minorities, while only 12% are women.
The team plans to launch a diversity and inclusion program before the end of the season to improve these numbers and attract more people with underrepresented backgrounds to Formula 1.
Six-time Formula One champion Hamilton said: “It is so important that we use this moment and use it to let us know whether you are an individual, a brand or a company to make really meaningful changes when it’s about equality and inclusiveness. ”
Hardik Vyas reporting in Bengaluru; Edited by Ken Ferris
.
