- Five former scholars are now working in Formula 1 and motorsport including Aston Martin Aramco F1, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains and Red Bull Advanced Technologies
- The 2026 cohort includes career changers, self-taught engineers and first-generation university students
- Programme was launched in response to a recommendation from the Hamilton Commission, established by Lewis Hamilton to address the under-representation of Black people in UK motorsport
- Programme has expanded to support women, students from lower-income backgrounds, and Black and Black heritage students
- The programme is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, with support from the Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers and Driven By Us.
Twelve aspiring engineers from groups under-represented in motorsport have been awarded fully funded master’s scholarships by Mission 44, the charity founded by seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The new cohort is the largest since the scholarship programme launched in 2022. Each scholar will receive funding worth up to £43,000 to cover tuition fees and living costs, alongside career support, mentoring and networking designed to help them build careers in motorsport.
This year’s scholars bring a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. They include a career changer, self-taught engineers who have independently developed skills in motorsport and aerodynamics, and students who are the first in their families to go to university.
The programme is run by the Royal Academy of Engineering, with support from partners the Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) and motorsport community organisation Driven By Us. Together, the organisations provide scholars with access to engineering expertise, professional networks and industry insight with dedicated mentors, helping them build the skills, connections and confidence needed to progress into careers in motorsport.
The programme has expanded its eligibility to support more aspiring engineers who face barriers to entering the industry, including women, students from lower-income backgrounds, and students who are Black or of Black heritage.
The expansion comes as significant inequalities remain in access to STEM education and careers. Disadvantaged students are 44% less likely than their peers to progress to advanced STEM study, while women make up only around 10% of the motorsport workforce.
MSc Motorsport Scholarship partners
The programme is already helping scholars to turn their ambitions into careers. Of the 13 people awarded scholarships since the programme began, five are now working in Formula 1 and motorsport including Aston Martin Aramco F1, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains and Red Bull Advanced Technologies. Two others are working elsewhere in motorsport and one in the wider engineering sector. Alumni continue to receive mentoring and career support after completing their studies.
Lewis Hamilton, seven-time F1 world champion and founder of Mission 44, said: “Throughout my career, I've seen how powerful it can be when someone believes in you, opens a door and gives you the opportunity to chase your dreams. That's what we're trying to do through Mission 44.
“Seeing our scholars go on to build careers in Formula 1 and motorsport is something I'm incredibly proud of. These young people are proof that your background should never define your future and that incredible things can happen when we break down barriers.
“To our 12 new talented scholars, I want you to dream big, believe in yourselves and never let anyone tell you what you can or can't achieve. You belong in this sport, and you have the power to change it. I can't wait to see what you achieve.”
Nancy Shehata, one of this year’s MSc Motorsport Scholars, said: “Receiving the scholarship has made a real difference to me. It gives me more financial freedom while studying for my master’s, allowing me to focus on my degree and take up opportunities that will help me build my career.
“I want to work in motorsport because I love the combination of engineering, problem-solving and teamwork. I love how the smallest component can make or break the car.
“It also means a lot to see more women and people from different backgrounds entering motorsport. I didn’t always see many people like me in the room. Seeing that change makes me feel there is a place for me, and I hope to help create that feeling for others too.”
Lily Owuye, Graduate Control Systems Engineer at Red Bull, said: “Coming from a lower socioeconomic background, a career in motorsport was not initially on my radar, but my love of STEM subjects at school introduced me to a world of opportunities that I had never previously considered. The MSc Motorsport Scholarship provided financial backing to be able to specialise beyond undergraduate study and connected me with people already working in the sport - hearing directly from industry figures gave me the confidence and mindset to prepare for this early stage of my career.
“Today, I develop control systems software at Red Bull Advanced Technologies, joining other programme alumni taking their first steps in the industry and ensuring that future generations of talent from underrepresented backgrounds continue to be supported
Jason Arthur, CEO of Mission 44, said: “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. This programme was created in response to the Hamilton Commission’s report to improve representation in motorsport.
“With former scholars now working in Formula 1 and across motorsport, we’re seeing what’s possible when talented people are given the opportunity to thrive. By expanding the programme, we can open doors for more aspiring engineers and help build a motorsport industry where talent from every background can succeed.”
Dr Andrew Clark, Deputy CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “It is imperative that we widen engineering recruitment to include talented people from all backgrounds. The UK has a world-class higher education sector, with proven benefits to postgraduate study. We are delighted to continue working with our partners to support this programme, which helps to remove barriers and enable a more diverse group of new engineers to progress to exciting new roles in the motorsport sector.”
Dr Nike Folayan MBE, Co-founder AFBE-UK, said: “Having seen first hand the impact that representation, networks, support and mentoring can make on an individual's trajectory to access a career in Engineering we are delighted to be able to support the scholars on their career journeys. Giving them access to mentors from the industry they aspire to be part of is a crucial part of addressing the skills gap in the engineering sector.”
Stephanie Alexander, Global Partnerships Lead at Driven By Us, said: “It is key that we continue to create pathways in motorsport and automotive careers for under-represented talent, as this is proven to boost innovation and creativity within the sector.”
“Increasing representation of diverse talent will showcase new role models to the next generation, inspiring others to pursue a career in a sector that is always at the forefront of change.”
To find out more about the MSc Motorsport Scholarship programme and future opportunities, visit Royal Academy of Engineering’s website here.
Notes for editors
Photos and B-roll of the reception event, including portraits of the scholars can be found here. Additional B-roll clips are available on request.
About Mission 44
Mission 44 is a global charitable foundation launched in 2021 by seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton. With a vision to build a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world, Mission 44 drives change so that every young person can thrive, from classroom to career.
About the Royal Academy of Engineering
The Royal Academy of Engineering creates and leads a community of outstanding experts and innovators to engineer better lives. As a charity and a Fellowship, it delivers public benefit from excellence in engineering and technology and convenes leading businesspeople, entrepreneurs, innovators and academics from every part of the profession. As a National Academy, it provides leadership for engineering and technology, and independent, expert advice to policymakers in the UK and beyond. The Academy’s work is enabled by funding from the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, corporate and university partners, charitable trusts and foundations, and individual donors.
About AFBE-UK
AFBE-UK is a not-for-profit organisation that challenges and inspires individuals from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds to excel in their fields and contribute positively to their communities through engineering.We encourage BME individuals to study engineering, support those pursuing engineering careers, promote engineering in schools, and champion workforce diversity. We also advise organisations on fostering inclusive environments where minority professionals can thrive and achieve their full potential. Our aim is to enhance the UK's engineering talent pool while driving economic growth.
About Driven By Us
Driven By Us’ mission is to drive meaningful change by championing underrepresented talent in STEM and reshaping perceptions across the automotive and motorsport sectors. Built by industry professionals, they empower aspiring leaders through their community space, providing mentorship, development pathways, and real-world programmes & opportunities that support personal and professional growth in environments grounded in inclusion, excellence, and equity. Driven By Us' reach spans the UK, North America, Europe, and beyond. Through partnerships with schools and the wider industry ecosystem, they shape a future where diverse voices lead, inspire, and succeed supported by industry-leading role models embedded within the Driven By Us community.
About the Hamilton Commission
The Hamilton Commission reported in 2021, setting out ten recommendations across three strands: support and empowerment; accountability and measurement; and inspiration and engagement. Recommendation five called for scholarships “to enable Black graduates from degrees in engineering and allied subjects to progress into specialist motorsport roles”.
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