Key Highlights
- Formula 1 published its inaugural sport-wide Social Impact Report, confirming that over 500,000 young people across 71 countries engaged with educational and motorsport pathway programmes in 2025.
- F1 extended its flagship Engineering Scholarship through the 2028/29 academic year with a funding pledge exceeding £2.4 million to support students from underrepresented backgrounds.
- The milestone report captures combined efforts from Formula 1, the FIA, all 10 teams, and 24 race promoters following recommendations by The Hamilton Commission.
Formula 1 Releases First Comprehensive Social Impact Report
Formula 1 has released its first-ever sport-wide Social Impact Report, detailing initiatives that reached more than 500,000 young people across 71 countries throughout 2025. Designed to educate, inspire, and create accessible pathways into motorsport, the programmes reflect the collective contributions of Formula 1 administration, the FIA, all 10 competing teams, and 24 race promoters. The collaborative audit stems from the groundwork established by The Hamilton Commission—established in 2021 by Sir Lewis Hamilton alongside the Royal Academy of Engineering—as well as the sport’s first Diversity and Inclusion Charter signed in 2024. The Cadillac F1 Team signed the charter starting from their entry in the 2026 season.
Leveraging a global fanbase of over 830 million individuals and a cumulative television audience of 1.7 billion, motorsport leadership is utilizing its worldwide reach across 24 races in 21 countries to drive community and educational advancement. Highlights from 2025 show that 100 percent of the Diversity and Inclusion Charter signatories delivered social impact projects, creating more than 1,000 skills and talent development opportunities focused on motorsport and adjacent industries. Additionally, more than 29,000 schools participated in the global STEM Racing education initiative, over 2,500 young people engaged in on-site event activations, 140 youths joined F1 Academy workshops, and Formula 1’s collaboration with Make-A-Wish granted over 50 wishes.
£2.4 Million Investment Renews F1 Engineering Scholarship Programme
Coinciding with the publication of the report, Formula 1 confirmed a multi-year extension of its flagship Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship. Backed by a funding commitment of more than £2.4 million, the programme will run for an additional three academic years from 2026/27 through 2028/29. The scholarship was established in 2021 to directly dismantle structural obstacles to higher education, specifically targeting the financial burden and lack of professional access faced by underrepresented demographics. To date, 48 students have been supported by the initiative, including 10 awardees in 2025.
Under the renewed commitment, 10 new scholars will be admitted each year. The scholarship completely covers both tuition fees and living expenses while granting recipients unique professional immersions. Scholars secure direct work placements with Formula 1 teams, work alongside top-tier motorsport engineers, visit the Formula 1 Media and Technology Centre, and receive behind-the-scenes access during Grand Prix weekends. Eligible students will complete their studies at five leading partner institutions: the University of Strathclyde, Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and MUNER (Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna) in Italy.
Leadership on Expanding Accessibility and Next-Generation Talent
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, emphasized the importance of translating institutional targets into measurable achievements across the racing industry:
“Formula 1 has an extraordinary power to inspire, and we want everyone to believe there is a place for them in our sport. We are turning our commitments into action, working across motorsport to break down barriers and widen access for future generations.
“We are proud of the progress made and grateful for the collective efforts of Lewis Hamilton, the Hamilton Commission, the FIA, our teams, race promoters, partners and the many organisations helping to create lasting change. By renewing the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship for a further three academic years and investing in young people and communities, we will open more doors, nurture talent and inspire the next generation to believe that a future in Formula 1 is within their reach.”
Advertisement
Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1, addressed how these community initiatives align with the commercial and global expansion of the championship:
“As Formula 1 continues to grow around the world, so does our ambition to build positive change beyond the track. This report provides, for the first time, a collective view of the impact programmes being delivered across the sport and the difference they are making in communities globally.
“From STEM education and skills development to charitable partnerships and initiatives that improve access to motorsport, these programmes are helping young people build confidence, develop future-ready skills and explore new career opportunities.
“The renewal of the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship builds on the progress captured in this report, offering sustained support that can remove financial barriers and help more students from underrepresented backgrounds take their first steps towards engineering careers. We look forward to continuing to work across the sport to strengthen and expand this work in the years ahead.”
Why This Matters
Historically, premier motorsport has faced scrutiny regarding limited socioeconomic diversity and steep barriers to entry within engineering and technical roles. By uniting the commercial rights holder, the FIA governing body, individual racing teams, and local race promoters under a unified reporting framework, Formula 1 is establishing systematic accountability for diversity and inclusion.
The operational framework focuses on long-term pipeline development rather than short-term outreach. Collaborations such as the British Council’s Learning Sectors programme—which has involved more than 700 schools and 150,000 students across the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, and Brazil—funnel talent into high-tech disciplines. Furthermore, with community support such as the €100,000 allocated among four non-profit recipients of the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award, the sport is formalizing ESG metrics, measurement systems, and governance to track the progression of underrepresented talent from primary classrooms to Formula 1 garages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship cover for recipients?
The Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship covers the full cost of university tuition fees and living expenses for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Beyond financial support, scholars receive team placements across F1 constructors, exclusive technical tours of the Formula 1 Media and Technology Centre, trackside paddock experiences during Grand Prix weekends, and hands-on exposure to cutting-edge automotive technology.
Which academic institutions are participating in the renewed scholarship scheme?
The scholarship programme places awardees across five prestigious engineering institutions: the University of Strathclyde, Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and MUNER (Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna) located in Italy.
How many students will benefit from the new £2.4 million funding commitment?
The renewed £2.4 million funding extends the programme for three academic cycles, spanning from 2026/27 to 2028/29. It will fund 10 new undergraduate scholars per academic year, adding 30 newly supported engineers to the 48 students who have already benefited since the programme’s 2021 inception.
