Sophia Flörsch challenges Lewis Hamilton to prove his commitment to diversity by creating an inclusive team in Formula 1.
Sophia Flörsch took aim at seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Recently, the 24-year-old German, who competes against male rivals in F3, criticized Formula 1 for “pinkwashing” through its women-only F1 Academy.
She condemned the fact that the series’ first champion, Marta Garcia, ended her single-seater career due to a lack of funding.
“It seems they used you in 2023 for short-term marketing with female drivers,” Flörsch stated in a message to Garcia.
Just over a week ago, F1 announced that, alongside the FIA and all ten teams, it had signed an official ‘diversity and inclusion charter,’ with explicit participation from Hamilton’s Mission 44 foundation.
When asked about his dream F1 team lineup, Hamilton named Kenzo Craigie, a British Mercedes karting driver, and Doriane Pin, a Mercedes-backed driver in F1 Academy.
“If I were to create a team, maybe one day I will, it would be diverse from the start,” Hamilton said.
Flörsch responded to Hamilton on X: “Act on your words!”
A Red Bull Racing mechanic, Calum Nicholas, defended the seven-time world champion against Flörsch’s remarks: “Lewis has dedicated more money and time to championing minorities than anyone else in the history of our sport.”
“The Hamilton Commission was a game-changer, and without it, we likely wouldn’t have many programs aimed at breaking down barriers to entering motorsport. Why target people who are already on your side?”
For his part, Hamilton highlighted the efforts of Mission 44 in promoting diversity within Formula 1 and across the motorsport ladder.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done at Mercedes, for example, in terms of the steps we’ve taken, Mercedes’ investment, everyone who has stepped up, truly engaged, and embraced change.”
“The team is more diverse than it has ever been. It’s much more inclusive, very open-minded. And we hoped that by doing this, the rest of the sport would follow. And I think that’s happening—we’ve just seen Formula 1, the FIA, and all the teams recognize its importance and commit to it.”
“One of the things I’m probably most proud of is having helped spark this. I’m truly grateful to everyone now on board, and I feel the sport is moving in the right direction.”
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Sophia Flörsch challenges Hamilton to create an inclusive team Sophia Flörsch challenges Hamilton to create an inclusive team
