Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton joins the Academy
Published: 13 December, 2019
Fresh from securing his sixth Formula One World Championship, Lewis Hamilton visited the Royal Academy of Engineering to formalise his admission to the Academy as an Honorary Fellow, in recognition of his role in inspiring interest in engineering, especially among young people.
The Royal Academy of Engineering commented that Lewis Hamilton is an inspiring role model for young people in the UK and around the world, winning his sixth Formula One World Champion title at the US Grand Prix on 3rd November 2019. The Institution added that as the only black Formula One driver, and one who has come from a working-class background, Lewis has broken down barriers and demonstrates that those from non-traditional upbringings can succeed at the highest level.
Lewis also met with a group of young engineers who are supporting This is Engineering, a nationwide campaign led by the Royal Academy of Engineering - and supported by a range of brands and engineering companies - to improve the representation of engineering online, celebrate the contribution of engineers, and encourage more young people to consider a career in the profession. EngineeringUK estimates that every year the UK is short of up to 59,000 engineers, while only 12% of the engineering workforce in the UK are female, and 9% are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. On the first ever This is Engineering Day on 6th November, over 130 organisations signed a pledge to address the misrepresentation of engineers and engineering online and in popular culture.
