Mercedes AMG F1 W14 nosecone featuring a vibrant Mercedes badge in honor of Pride Month. On the 1st of June 2023, during the Preparation Day for the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain, this eye-catching design was unveiled. Racing Pride, an organization dedicated to promoting inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals in the world of motorsport, recently announced that Mercedes has joined their list of Formula 1 partners. This collaboration adds Mercedes to the ranks of Aston Martin, Alpine, and Red Bull, all of whom are industry partners actively championing inclusivity in high-level motorsport.
The partnership between Racing Pride and Mercedes was solidified through a visit by Racing Pride ambassadors to the Brackley-based team in June 2023. As part of the activities for Pride Month, a workshop was conducted, paving the way for this collaboration. Moving forward, Mercedes will work closely with Racing Pride to develop policies and procedures that foster LGBTQ+ inclusion and allyship. This will involve the delivery of various workshops, listening sessions, and training sessions aimed at team members from all levels within the company.
Richard Morris, the Co-Founder and Director of Partner Relations at Racing Pride, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the significant impact it can have on promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion not only in motorsport but also beyond. He acknowledged the influential platform of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, one of the most successful and prestigious teams in Formula One, as well as the commitment to LGBTQ+ allyship demonstrated by driver Lewis Hamilton. The goal of this partnership is to create a safe and welcoming working environment for the 1,200 team members at MGP in Brackley, allowing individuals to be their authentic selves and further enhancing the company’s success both on and off the track.
Lewis Hamilton, the driver for Mercedes, has been a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights on a global scale. He has shown his support by wearing pride colors on his racing helmet and speaking out for inclusivity. Last year, during the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton wore a helmet with a pride theme to protest the nation’s stance on homosexuality. He is not the only one in the Formula 1 community to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel, who has won multiple World Championships, has also worn pride colors and faced reprimand for wearing a ‘Same Love’ t-shirt during the national anthem ceremony at the 2021 Hungarian GP. This was in protest against the country’s legislation on discussing homosexuality and transgender issues in schools. Mercedes, like Vettel and Hamilton, continues to support Racing Pride and has previously displayed a Pride-themed emblem on their cars during Pride month in the past two F1 seasons. Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix is partnering with Racing Pride to promote LGBTQ+ allyship and create a culture of inclusion within their team. They are excited to host events with Racing Pride in the upcoming year to further enhance their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com