From race car drivers to technical and engineering roles, the Rac(H)er program establishes a clear and defined roadmap to increase the diversity of talent within Alpine, believing that it can no longer afford to go without a group of female talents.
Alpine, a brand belonging to the Renault Group and which currently represents it in Formula 1 and other motor competitions, has presented the Rac(H)er programaimed at increasing the presence of women in all areas of competition.
This program will cover technical, sports and managerial roles, an initiative framed in the general principles established in the strategic plan Renewalpresented by the CEO of the Group, Luca de Meo, in 2021.
50% of the Alpine Management Committee are women, not because it is a quota, but because they are the best in their field
Also, Alpine F1 Team it will also introduce a comprehensive program to increase diversity, including within its driver roster, with the aim of having a female presence in the premier class by 2030.
“Alpine today is committed to increasing diversity within its own workforce,” the statement said. “The Rac(H)er program is designed to reinforce cross-gender meritocracy in all areas of the company, from technical functions to races and competitions. In doing so, Alpine will take full advantage of the full and complementary skills of the available workforce.”
The program is divided into several sections as follows:
- awareness program on inclusion issues internally throughout the Alpine Business Unit. “Our goal is to create equal opportunities for all genders.”
- A motoring section backed with research conducted by the Paris Brain Institute to appreciate what it takes to be a world-class racing driver. This program will also include the deconstruction of stereotypes through research with the funding of a scientific study to definitively break down all the supposed pseudo-scientific obstacles to female F1 competition (fitness, cognitive). Alpine will establish a specific development program with financial means dedicated to bringing the first woman to consistent F1 competition.
- The launch of a fundopen to the participation of all, to finance female talent within motorsport: Alpine is committed to establishing the appropriate financial package and also to finding sponsors.
- Educational and support impulse. “With the support of our ambassadors, we plan to go into schools to increase awareness and interest among girls about car racing and automotive jobs in general.”
- Establishing a promotional program long-term, involving all relevant stakeholders in the motorsports and automotive industries in this transformation process.
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A program to strengthen equal opportunities
With the Rac(H)er program, Alpine is committed to promoting the inclusion and subsequent promotions of a diverse workforce at all levels. «Currently, women represent only 12% of its workforce»supports the French brand.
The project will begin by investing in local STEM programs that encourage women to enter scientific and technical fields and pursue them for the long term. “From then on, we will ensure the correct support through the implementation of a Mentoring program in all departments of the company to support women in their chosen career».
For their part, managers within the company will undergo multiple training programs to actively combat pre-existing biases and uphold Alpine’s values.
“The entire program will aim to make each staff member an ambassador capable of promoting Rac(H)er at the grassroots level, thus creating a cyclical structure,” the statement reports.
“Our goal is to increase our diversity step by step, with a goal of 30% women in 5 years. The commitment begins with the hiring of 50-50% male and female trainees and graduates, starting immediately.
A program to train future F1 champions
In 72 years of Formula 1 racing, only six of 885 pilots have been women. While female talents are often spotted and supported too late to pursue a long-term career at the highest level, “the Academy’s program aims to identify, from an early age, young female karters who want to make it to the Formula 1”.
This program will deploy a comprehensive roadmap to establish career, test, physical training and mental training plans to support the progression of these talents. Alpine is committed to conducting scientific studies (physical, mental and wellness) to identify the training needs of these promising pilots to bring them to a competitive level in Formula 1.
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“Substantial resources will be allocated to the realization of this program to give female drivers the same chance to succeed as the great champions trained by the Academy and thus go from karting to F4, then from the regional championships to F3 and finally from F2 to F1,” says Alpine.
The Rac(H)er program aims to engage all stakeholders in the sport and motor industrystarting with F1 and the FIA Women in Motorsport Committee, as well as building links with existing programs to tackle the challenge of inclusion, such as Girls on Track.
Laurent Rossi, CEO of Alpine, stated that “our role, as a Formula 1 team and Groupe Renault brand, is to commit to making our ecosystem more inclusive and making diversity our strength. 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.
“With the launch of Rac(H)er, this long-term transformation program, we hope to have the participation of all the players in the sector, because only united can we really move forward. And that would be our true success.”.
Claire Mesnier, vice president of human resources at Alpine, notes that “with Rac(H)er, we want to create a true meritocracy and not just move stats. We have designed a unique long-term program that is based on the commitment of all Alpine employees. The challenge is to encourage reflection within the teams, but also to put in place concrete means to move things forward within the company».
“We are committed to doing this in all areas of the company and we lead by example. 50% of the Alpine Management Committee are now women, not because it is a quota, but because they are the best in their field of specialization to lead the role and its responsibilities”.
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Photos: Alpine F1 Team