Alpine commits to increasing diversity through launch of Rac(H)er programme

Alpine F1 Team launched Rac(H)er, a five-point programme aimed at tackling gender imbalance within the automotive industry and committed to an unprecedented effort to support female talents in its Academy.

Photo credits: James Moy Photography Ltd / courtesy of Alpine F1 Team

Alpine F1 Team steps up its commitment in increasing diversity within its workforce and announced the launch of the Rac(H)er programme, aimed at breaking down barriers in the automotive industry. From technical roles to behind the wheel, Alpine has laid out a five-point plan to deconstruct stereotypes and encourage women to pursue a career in the sport.

The programme is set to include: actions to increase inclusion internally throughout the Alpine Business Unit; funding scientific research to address alleged hurdles for female competition at the top level of motorsport; the launch of a fund to finance female talent within motorsport; an education programme in cooperation with schools to boost awareness and interest among girls; a long term advocacy programme across the industry.

The company today presents a 12% female workforce - which is approximately consistent with the rest of the industry - and aims to reach a 30% within five years as a result of its commitment - which starts with 50-50 recruitment with immediate effect.

Management will undergo a training programme to combat pre-existing prejudice and "make every staff member an ambassador capable of promoting Rac(H)er at a grass-roots level", the statement reads.

In cooperation with the Paris Brain Institute, Alpine is set to take a scientific approach at tackling the challenges of reaching the highest spheres of the motor racing, addressing fitness, mental and wellness aspects among the others. With Lella Lombardi being the latest female driver to have entered a F1 race in 1976, female representation in the racing world is increasingly crucial to inspire the base of the pyramid and eventually reach the goal of having successful female racers on the grid.

Alpine is therefore willing to invest in spotting and supporting young female talents from karting all the way to the F1 ladder, in cooperation with its Academy project.

"This programme will deploy a comprehensive roadmap to set out racing plans, testing plans, physical training plans and mental training programs to support the progression of these talents", the Rac(H)er announcement says.

Out of the 885 drivers to have started a F1 GP across the 72 years of the sport's history, only 6 have been women.

Alpine F1 team claims that "substantial resources will be allocated to the realisation of this programme to give women drivers the same chances to succeed as the greatest champions trained by the Academy and thus to move from karting to F4, then from regional championships to F3 and finally from F2 to F1."

The Rac(H)er programme is expected to engage with existing organizations - such as the FIA Women In Motorsport Commission - and cooperate with projects such as Girls On Track.

Earlier this year, Alpine announced Abbi Pulling as one of its drivers for the new Affiliate programme, as well as the recruitment of Alice Powell as Talent Identification & Development Mentor, who is expected to specifically work with female drivers.

“Our role, as a Formula 1 team and a brand of the Renault Group is to commit to making our ecosystem more inclusive and making diversity our strength", commented Laurent Rossi, Alpine CEO. "We are aware of the need for a profound transformation of both the sport and the industry so that all talents can flourish in the future."

"By launching Rac(H)er, this long-term transformation programme, we hope to be joined by all the players in the sector, because it is only by uniting that we will be able to make real progress. And that would be our real success.”