Idris Elba has announced a new initiative to find and nurture future racing talent from communities currently underrepresented in the world of motorsports.
The London-born actor and DJ, 49, hopes the Speed Academy will inspire more opportunities for youths within areas typically reserved for the wealthy.
Speaking to the Standard, he said: “I’ve always had this soft spot for cars, engines, motorsports – anything with a steering wheel basically, and sort of married the idea that I’m someone who has always wanted to put an opportunity on the table. I stood in parliament, spoke about diversity and talked about talent being everywhere, but opportunity not.
“I was an inner-city kid, immigrant working-class parents, opportunities for me were really through what I could get at school, maybe a youth club here and there, but other than that if I wanted to be in motorsports there was almost zero opportunity.”
This Sunday, those aged 6 to 16 are invited to race at the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in London for the chance of winning Speed Academy scholarships and open up a viable pathway to high-level competitive motorsport.
“15-20 years ago if Formula One had done something like this we might see a much wider spectrum not only of people who put Formula One together, but the audience as well. At the moment the audience is quite tailored to those who know, and are equal to a certain wealth bracket. Formula E has got an opportunity now to change that narrative and shift it.”
Elsewhere, Elba recently completed filming the movie adaptation of TV series Luther and is working on Apple TV+ series Hijack.
“We’ve shot Luther now. We’re in the editing stage and I’m really excited for the fans to see its growth from a TV show to a film. [Hijack] is really exciting, we’re filming in England which is great because I love being home and the industry is really healthy here right now.”
Elba’s work generally takes him all around the world so he’s enjoying getting to spend time in the UK with his wife Sabrina and two children from previous relationships.
“Its been great to be home, be around my children and be present.”
Idris Elba’s Speed Academy, powered by Total Karting, will be hosted at the London Formula E-Prix on July 31. Entrants can apply at totalkartingmotorsport.com/speedacademy
