“Motor racing has always been a province for white, heterosexual men”: Matt Bishop brings up a crucial topic in Formula 1
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Matt Bishop
Ever since its inception, Formula 1 has been viewed as an elitist sport that is accessible only to the rich aristocrats of the European countries. But over the years, the idea that Formula 1 is beyond the reach of the common man has been abolished and now the highest league of motorsports is a favorite amongst a massive fan community which has followers from all corners of the world. When the ownership of the F1 franchise changed hands from Bernie Ecclestone‘s corporation to the Liberty Media, F1 underwent a massive change.
Under the wing of the Liberty Media, Formula 1 started being more inclusive towards people from various walks of life and its popularity started going beyond the European continent. The American viewership increased rapidly with the release of the well-known Netflix series Drive to Survive and the F1 authorities snatched this opportunity to introduce F1 to in the USA by organizing multiple races there.
Despite such a big reach of the Formula 1 franchise, it has fallen short when it comes to representation of people from various races, with different religious and personal preferences, and the FIA are now hoping to do away with this shortcoming. Even after all these years, Lewis Hamilton remains as the only Black F1 racer and there are no gay drivers who have ever set foot on the F1 grid. Matt Bishop, Aston Martin F1’s recently retired Chief Communications Officer, talked about this issue in a recent interview.
Read More: Sebastian Vettel to not appear on F1 TV shows: “I’m not going to be a TV pundit.”
Matt Bishop believes Formula 1 just does not attract LGBTQ+ people like other avenues
While speaking about the reason why no LGTBQ+ driver has ever made an appearance in Formula 1 as of now, Matt Bishop said, “There are different areas of life, business and culture that seem to attract more LGBTQ+ people than others. If I was working in the Royal Opera house in Covent Garden, I am sure there would be more.”
He also said, “Motor racing has always been very much the province of white, heterosexual men. There are a very small number of exceptions to that. The biggest exception to that is a black heterosexual man, Lewis Hamilton. The most successful driver in our history. In terms of LGBTQ+ people, we are beginning to see the odd journalist, marketer, the odd comms, PR professional. People like that. Still quite a small number and no drivers for many years.”
Matt Bishop has regularly seen the people who walk the F1 paddocks since the last 30 years, and he recollects that when he had joined the motorsports business, he was most probably the only openly gay man in the field. But Bishop chooses to remain hopeful as he said many things have changed around the F1 paddocks since the time he had first walked into Formula 1. And if this wave of change continues, it will not be long before we find a gay driver taking part in a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
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Riddhi Mondal
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