Formula 1® has published its first comprehensive Social Impact Report, highlighting the sport’s efforts to promote diversity, education, and community engagement. Alongside this, the series has confirmed the renewal of its Engineering Scholarship Programme, committing £2.4 million to support students until the 2028/29 academic year.
The Social Impact Report reflects activities primarily from the 2025 season and outlines plans extending through 2028/29. It consolidates contributions from all 10 Formula 1® teams, the FIA, and 24 race promoters, showcasing a collective commitment to social initiatives. A notable figure in these efforts is Lewis Hamilton, whose Hamilton Commission has influenced the sport’s approach to diversity and inclusion.
The Engineering Scholarship Programme, launched in 2021, aims to support students from underrepresented backgrounds by covering tuition and living expenses while providing unique access to Formula 1® environments. With the renewed investment, the programme will continue to support 10 new students annually at leading universities such as Strathclyde, Imperial College London, Cambridge, Oxford, and MUNER in Italy.
In 2025, Formula 1® educational and inspiration programmes reached over 500,000 young people across 71 countries, demonstrating the sport’s global social impact. The report also references additional initiatives, including the British Council’s Learning Sectors education programme, STEM Racing’s global education efforts, the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award, and a partnership with Make-A-Wish.
These initiatives follow recommendations from the Hamilton Commission and align with the 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Charter, which has been signed by all teams and governing bodies within the sport. Formula 1® has expressed an intention to expand these programmes further and improve governance and reporting to maximize their social benefits.
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1® CEO, and Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1®, have been involved in overseeing these developments, emphasizing the sport’s commitment beyond the racetrack. The renewed scholarship programme represents a significant investment in nurturing future engineering talent and promoting inclusivity within the motorsport industry.
This report and scholarship renewal underline Formula 1®’s ongoing efforts to leverage its global platform for positive social change, particularly in education and diversity. The continuation of these programmes until the 2028/29 academic year provides a structured pathway for talented students to engage with the sport and its technical challenges in the years ahead.