Hamilton keen for change from 'white male' F1 team owners

Lewis Hamilton has voiced his desire to see more diversity within Formula 1 teams, particularly at the head of the organisations.

Hamilton, who is the only black driver on the F1 grid, has used his platform to promote diversity and equality, which includes the establishment of the Mission 44 organisation.

The seven-time World Champion recently voiced his support for an 11th team in the paddock, after the FIA confirmed that Andretti Formula Racing had satisfied with its application process.

Andretti is now facing negotiations with Formula 1 Management as it aims to strike a commercial deal to join F1 in the coming years.

Hamilton clarified in Qatar that his support doesn't directly stem towards Andretti, but rather the opportunities that a new organisation would create.

“It wasn't that I support Andretti. I think from a driver's perspective, it's exciting to potentially see more cars [on the grid]," he explained to media including RacingNews365.

“Then the idea of an 11th team… we have over 2,000 people in our team. So that's a huge amount of jobs.

“But we have to make sure that the criteria, which is quite strict is really respected.”

Hamilton's call for change

Hamilton believes that the criteria must be reviewed to be more inclusive of backgrounds when it comes to team leadership.

“I feel like we need to amend the criteria actually, and make sure that there's an opportunity for real impact, really making sure that if there is a new team, they have to be diverse.

“They have to perhaps create an opportunity for a female driver to come through. And it has to be diverse from the top up.

“At the moment, it’s all white owners. And there's a real lack of diversity from the top down. It's all male, and that needs to change.

“That was just that's my thought. But I really do have 100 per cent faith in [F1 CEO] Stefano [Domenicali] who I've known for a long, long time.

“I think what he's doing at the top, there's no one that could do a better job than him. And I know that he will make the right decision.

“Moving forward, he's a racer, and he's passionate about the growth of the sport, so I'm happy to leave it in his capable hands.”