Hamilton urges rival F1 teams to follow in Mercedes diversity footsteps

Lewis Hamilton has urged rival Formula 1 teams to follow Mercedes' actions in creating a more diverse sport.

Hamilton was at the forefront of F1's 'End Racism' stance last season, using his platform to try and invoke a change of the sport's attitude towards minorities either working or attempting to work in F1, as well as bringing general awareness to societal issues.

After announcing his new contract last month, Hamilton and Mercedes also revealed a new initiative to provide opportunities for minorities to interact with STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths] projects, with the seven-time champion hoping other teams will follow suit.

"Mercedes is now partnering with some of the schools in London and putting attention elsewhere, creating a bigger pool and a bigger opportunity for people to get into those STEM subjects that perhaps weren't previously done," said Hamilton.

"What I am not aware of is any other team doing that, not aware of any other team acknowledging that that is even an issue and those are the things I feel that need to change this year and it goes back to that accountability.

"We can all do more. A lot of these brands that we work with sell cars to all different backgrounds and make their money from people from the outside world. I feel like from inside, it needs to reflect the outside world."

When F1 followed other sports in taking the knee last season, the grid was split on its responsibilities, with seven of the 20 drivers standing, albeit taking part in the ceremony and wearing EndRacism t-shirts.

Ahead of the new campaign, Hamilton has played down the importance of all drivers taking a knee pre-race.

"In terms of the other drivers, I mean it is ultimately down to them as to what they decide to do," he added.

"I think you saw last year, there was a mixture in terms of some of us taking the knee and some not, as opposed to some other sports where everyone was united together.

"I think again, it is down to choice, and education is a part of it. What I would like to see is just creating an opportunity for people.

"What we saw in Austria, for example. A young black girl, on the podium for the first time in 70 years. That created awareness.

"Young black girls, and girls in general, saw that as an opportunity to go into becoming an engineer and sparking those kinds of reactions."

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