Is motorsport holding us back?

Could Mercedes and Red Bull work together to change motorsport?

Can change happen if they can’t?

Social change is a complex and multifaceted process that requires the active participation and collaboration of multiple actors within a given system. This is particularly true in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), where a lack of diversity and inclusion has long been a persistent problem.

One example of this can be seen in the motorsport industry, where extreme competition is present in every aspect of the organization’s DNA. To succeed, they must prioritize their own success over wider goals.

However, as the All Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM has highlighted, this approach is ultimately self-defeating, as a lack of diversity and inclusion will only serve to hold back the industry as a whole.

Organizations must begin to think differently about how they operate to drive meaningful change in this industry. This means recognizing that social progress cannot be achieved through individual efforts alone but rather requires open collaboration and cooperation between all actors in the system.

One way to achieve this is through the creation of partnerships and initiatives that bring together organizations, government, and community groups to work towards a common goal of increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM. This could include initiatives such as mentorship programs, diversity training, and targeted recruitment efforts.

Additionally, organizations must also be willing to change the way they operate internally, recognizing that a lack of diversity and inclusion is not just a problem for underrepresented groups but a problem for the entire industry. This means taking concrete steps to address issues such as unconscious bias, lack of representation, and lack of opportunities for career progression for underrepresented groups.

Ultimately, it is clear that driving social change in the motorsport industry and in STEM more broadly will require a new way of thinking by organizations and a willingness to collaborate and work together towards a common goal. Only by breaking down the barriers that currently prevent diversity and inclusion from flourishing in STEM can we truly unleash the full potential of this vital field.