Local MP Justin Tomlinson was honoured to present the winner’s trophies in the Formula 2 Championship race at Silverstone on Sunday.
The MP was attending the event in his capacity as Minister for Disabled People, following his proactive work to increase the number of disabled people employed within engineering and motorsport, as well as meeting with Motorsport UK on the subject.
Following on from its declaration in December 2018, the FIA (Federation of International Automobiles) is committed to tackling the prejudices that many disabled people can face within motorsport, either as drivers, trackside staff such as marshals, safety officers or engineers. The Government believes these measures are necessary for getting more disabled people into the sport and is actively working alongside the industry to improve opportunities for disabled people. The motorsport industry itself employs 41,000 people in the UK and contributes an estimated £9 billion to the economy.
Renault’s Jack Aitkin won Sunday’s sprint race and was congratulated by Justin, immediately before he was presented with his winning trophy. This was Aitkin’s third Formula 2 race win and moved him up to 5th place in the overall Formula 2 Championship.
In what turned out to be an incredible weekend in British sport, the North Swindon MP celebrated the results at Silverstone before returning to Swindon to see England win the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said: “It was a thoroughly exciting experience and one I was truly honoured to be asked to undertake. As Minister for Disabled People I am determined to do all I can to advance the opportunities of disabled people, with motorsport being an interesting example of an industry which is really coming on leaps and bounds. My personal congratulations go to Jack Aitkin and Team Renault on a hard-fought and impressive win, it was a pleasure to watch.”
