World Champions 2025 Special - Welcoming Louise McEwen is Chief Marketing Officer at McLaren Racing, where she leads the global brand narrative, visual identity and commercial strategy for the team’s racing operations. 

But beyond branding and sponsorships, Louise is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion across motorsport. As part of McLaren’s pioneering inclusion efforts, she’s helped drive the creation of McLaren Next & Engaged Programmes to open up motorsport and STEM-related careers to under-represented and under-privileged groups. 

Louise consistently emphasises that opportunities in motorsport shouldn’t be limited to the cockpit: “to be world-championship material and high-performance, you need different thoughts and perspectives” and she works to make sure roles across brand, marketing, engineering, commercial and beyond are open to all talents. 

On a personal and symbolic level, 2025 saw Louise alongside her McLaren colleagues standing on the podium. At the Miami Grand Prix she accepted McLaren’s constructors’ trophy as part of the winning team, becoming one of the few women to stand on an F1 podium a visible testament to her dual role both behind the scenes and front-of-house for McLaren’s success.  

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Stephanie Travers is a trailblazing engineer and leader in motorsport, currently serving as the Senior Impact Manager at Mission 44, the charitable foundation created by Sir Lewis Hamilton to foster a more inclusive education system and empower underserved communities.

She also held leadership roles with Team X44, Hamilton’s Extreme E team, including Deputy Team Principal, and previously served as an Associate Sporting Director.

Beginning her career with a strong academic foundation in chemical engineering (BEng from the University of Bradford, MSc from Imperial College London), Stephanie held early roles in asset management at BASF before pursuing a breakthrough opportunity. Out of over 7,000 applicants, she was selected as a Trackside Fluid Engineer for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, where she co-managed the Petronas Trackside Laboratory.

In 2020, she made motorsport history at the Styrian Grand Prix, becoming the first woman of colour to ever stand on an F1 podium, receiving the Constructors’ trophy alongside Lewis Hamilton—a milestone Lewis himself celebrated as profoundly important for representation in the sport.

She also supports organisations such as Driven By Us, a community-led organisation dedicated to empowering ethnic minorities and women of colour in motorsport and automotive industries. Through mentoring, speaking, and advocacy, Stephanie amplifies DBU’s mission of creating safe spaces, increasing access, and inspiring the next generation through role models from within the community.

Stephanie continues to inspire through her leadership roles, keynote speaking, and community engagement. From her historic podium with Lewis Hamilton to her leadership at X44 and advocacy with Mission 44 and Driven By Us, she embodies the change needed to ensure motorsport reflects the diversity of the world around it.

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Denzel Manyande, an accomplished freelance consultant who specializes in operations and logistics. Denzel has built a reputation for transforming ideas into reality with precision whether it’s through event management, project delivery, or supply chain execution. His hands-on, detail-oriented approach makes him a trusted partner for organizations looking to deliver flawlessly from design all the way through to execution.

Denzel’s expertise covers three key areas

Operational Strategy and Management—he develops KPI-driven frameworks, coordinates suppliers and venues, plans delivery routes, and ensures seamless security and communication throughout.

Project and Event Delivery—he guides full project lifecycles, from concept design and budgeting to tracking deliverables and managing change.

Workforce and Volunteer Coordination—he recruits, schedules, and deploys staff and volunteers, while also designing recognition schemes to keep teams motivated and high-performing.

What makes Denzel’s approach unique is his personal involvement from start to finish. He brings passion, precision, and adaptability to every engagement. Whether it’s a fast-paced environment or a complex operational challenge, Denzel has the flexibility to bring in specialist support when needed, all while maintaining close attention to detail and a collaborative working style.

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This week we're reflecting with Formula E - Live from The London E-Prix with Raphaella Gordon‑Saker is a Senior Sustainability & Social Impact Manager on the sustainability team at Formula E, the world’s premier all-electric racing series Formula E, Raffy leads strategic initiatives that empower communities, champion diversity and inclusion, and ensure sustainable legacies in host cities through sport.

Raphaella plays a pivotal role in adapting the FIA’s global Girls on Track programme for Formula E races. She coordinates immersive workshops, behind‑the‑scenes race experiences, mentoring sessions, and partnerships with schools and charities to engage young women worldwide and showcase motorsport career paths like engineering, journalism, and broadcasting

Her work spans every Formula E market. She tailors delivery to reflect local cultural and educational contexts, ensuring relevance and inclusivity while aligning with the programme’s global mission.

Raphaella is vocal about the barriers women face in motorsport, especially the lack of visible female representation in leadership and driver roles. She advocates for systemic change through cultural shifts, resource allocation, development programmes, and transparent career pathways for underrepresented talent.

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Jahee Campbell-Brennan is a motorsport engineer and entrepreneur known for his innovative work in both motorsport and automotive engineering.

After graduating with a Master’s in Automotive Engineering, he began his career in high-volume vehicle development at Ford, before going on to found Wavey Dynamics, a consultancy specialising in vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, and engineering design for high-performance automotive and motorsport applications. Through the consultancy, he has delivered projects for leading manufacturers including McLaren Automotive, contributing to the design and development of next-generation hypercars.

Jahee is also part of the electric team at One Group Engineering, where he leads the development of a track-focused hypercar and engineers trackside at elite-level championships including the GT World Challenge and Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Beyond his engineering work, Jahee is committed to creating equality of opportunity in motorsport. 

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Today’s guest is David Manuwa, a rising talent in motorsport engineering, a race winning, Race Engineer in British F4 with Chris Dittmann Racing (CDR).

David’s journey into the world of motorsport began behind the wheel, where he made his mark as the 2013 Bayford Meadows Cadet Champion and later became the 2022 British University Karting Champion while studying Motorsport Engineering at Coventry University, from which he graduated in 2023.

Alongside his studies, David was mentored through the AFBE-UK programme in collaboration with Mercedes AMG F1 Team by James Dornor, he also competed in the BUKC for Coventry University, and even took his passion digital by working with the Williams F1 Esport Team as a driver and data engineer. His engineering career accelerated quickly from working with Perpetuum Motorsport in F1000, to joining Hitech GP as a junior engineer and moving into race engineering in British and UAE F4 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

At Chris Dittmann Racing, David applies his expertise to develop young drivers, optimise car performance, and shape the next generation of racing success stories in British F4 and GB3.

Along the way, he’s had standout moments, including meeting Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes-AMG F1 in 2022, a reminder of how far his journey has taken him from grassroots karting to the professional paddock.

In this episode, we’ll dive into David’s path from karting champion to professional race engineer, his insights into working in junior formula racing, and his vision for the future of motorsport.

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Yohanes Scarlett is a seasoned Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) expert, currently serving as the Policy and Research Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion at the Royal Academy of Engineering. His passion for social justice was kindled early on, shaped by his volunteer work at youth clubs, where he listened to and supported young people facing systemic inequalities. This foundation has deeply influenced his commitment to building more inclusive engineering environments Royal Academy of Engineering

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In his role at the Academy, Yohanes oversees a robust and action-oriented EDI research programme dedicated to exploring representation and structural barriers within the engineering profession. His analytical rigor and strategic insight have been central to driving tangible change Royal Academy of Engineering. Through his leadership, the Academy has advanced evidence-based strategies to dismantle systemic obstacles and foster more inclusive practices in engineering across the UK.

A particularly notable milestone in Yohanes’s career was his appointment, in 2020, as one of the principal researchers on The Hamilton Commission. This landmark initiative—co-chaired by Sir Lewis Hamilton and the Royal Academy of Engineering was established to investigate and address the underrepresentation of Black individuals within UK motorsport and STEM fields Royal Academy of Engineering.

Over a rigorous, ten-month period, the Commission conducted data analysis, stakeholder mapping, and qualitative research with youth and industry leaders. The result was a compelling report—Accelerating Change: Improving Representation of Black People in UK Motorsport—which delivered ten actionable recommendations to promote diversity and drive systemic change.

View Online- https://raeng.org.uk/policy-and-resources/diversity-and-inclusion-research-and-resources/hamilton-commission/

Interactive Report - https://report.hamiltoncommission.org/interactive-summary/index.html

Download Report - https://raeng.org.uk/media/s52drupu/accelerating-change-improving-representation-of-black-people-in-motorsport-a-hamilton-commission-report.pdf

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Sorsha Elson is carving out her place in the fast-paced world of Formula 1 as the first female Mechanical Engineering Apprentice. Her story stands out because she didn’t follow the traditional path into motorsport. In fact, her first career was as a flight attendant, where conversations with pilots and engineers sparked her curiosity about how complex machines operate. That spark quickly grew into a passion, leading her to take the leap into engineering.

Sorsha gained the confidence and opportunities she needed to pursue her ambitions. Now, with Formula 1, she works on the Event Technical Centre, playing a vital role in maintaining and repairing the equipment that keeps the championship running smoothly. It’s a demanding role that combines hands-on skills like TIG welding with rigorous theoretical training, often condensed into intense study schedules.

Sorsha is also a passionate advocate for representation in engineering. She points to Beyoncé as a personal source of empowerment, and to Sir Lewis Hamilton as a role model for breaking barriers and redefining what success looks like in F1. For Sorsha, being a visible presence in a male-dominated field is about more than her own career—it’s about inspiring the next generation of girls to believe they belong in STEM, too.

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James Sherwood-Smith is a seasoned British presenter and producer with a dynamic career spanning television, live events, and digital media. His work encompasses sectors such as motorsport, technology, and youth engagement

James began his television career in 2007 as a film reporter, where he interviewed celebrities like Will Smith and Idris Elba. His engaging presence led to a nomination for the 2008 Channel 4 New Talent Award. In 2010, he created and produced the entertainment segment "AFROBUZZ," covering major events such as the Wireless Festival and the MOBO Tour, and conducting interviews with artists like Alicia Keys and Kevin Hart.

James has a strong passion for motorsports, particularly Formula 1 and Formula E. He has hosted various events and content in these areas, including the "Live Fans Forum," which delves into Formula One discussions and engages fans worldwide. His work often highlights diversity and representation within motorsports

Beyond entertainment, James has collaborated with major brands such as Vodafone, Puma, and Goal, producing high-quality content. He has also hosted internal series like "Techbusters" for Vodafone and "Dell Drive Club" for Dell Technologies. His versatility extends to youth engagement initiatives, including work with Disney Junior and National Geographic through ITN Productions

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We're joined by Bianca Bustamante one of the most exciting young talents in international motorsport, blazing a trail and doing it her own way!

At just 19 years old, Bianca has already made history as a trailblazing Filipino racing driver, competing at the highest levels of junior single-seaters. She rose to prominence in the inaugural F1 Academy, where she showcased her speed, resilience, and determination, and this year she’s taken on a new challenge in the GB3 Championship – proving herself against some of the most competitive young drivers in Europe.

On top of that, Bianca recently joined Formula E’s Cupra Kiro team as a development driver, expanding her racing portfolio into the world of electric motorsport.

Beyond the track, she has become a role model for women and underrepresented communities in racing, inspiring a new generation of drivers across Southeast Asia and around the world. Today, she opens up about her journey, the challenges she’s faced, and her vision for the future of motorsport.

#BiancaBustamante #F1Academy #GB3 #FormulaE #Formula1

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British GP Special! - Driven By Us Community kicked off the Silverstone GP in full force at the Drivers Inn Stage, highlighting the power of community, connection, and inclusion in motorsport 💜

We were thrilled to welcome so many passionate fans, allies, and changemakers to our Community Hub from all walks of life to a vibrant space created for conversation, collaboration, and celebration of inspiring voices in racing. 🏁✨

From inspiring panel discussions to heartfelt meet-and-greets, it was incredible to see so many attendees both familiar faces and new supporters come together to share stories, ideas, and a vision for a more inclusive future in motorsport.

Fun Fact - Our Panel featured across all TV screens around the circuit reaching around 75,000 attendees 

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The 2nd anniversary celebration of F1 Arcade brought together a distinguished panel of voices from across the motorsport industry for a special live podcast-style event. Hosted by Cayana Freeman, the discussion cantered on journeys, diversity, community engagement, and the evolving fan culture within Formula 1. The event served not only as a milestone for F1 Arcade but also as a platform for thought-provoking conversation and inspiration.

Ariana Bravo, a respected F1 presenter and broadcaster, shared her experiences navigating the fast-paced world of Formula 1 media. She spoke about the growing role of inclusion within the paddock and how platforms in transforming how fans access the sport and the importance of relatable, inclusive storytelling.

Calum Nicholas, a seasoned F1 mechanic, offered valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes world of a Formula 1 team. His perspective highlighted the technical precision and teamwork required in high-pressure environments and encouraged aspiring engineers to remain persistent and curious in their pursuit of motorsport careers.

Steph Alexander, a UK and international marshal and Calibration Engineer at Bosch, reflected on her unique dual role in motorsport. She emphasised the significance of volunteering and technical expertise, sharing how marshalling opened doors and gave her a deeper connection to racing at both grassroots and elite levels.

James Dornor, founder of Driven By Us, spoke passionately about the need for continued progress in diversity and inclusion within motorsport. He underscored the importance of representation across all areas of the industry from the paddock to boardroom and the power of community-driven initiatives to effect lasting change.

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Bella James is a British motorsport content creator and presenter known for her sharp wit and engaging interviews. With a background in Business and a dissertation focused on the barriers women face in Formula 1, she brings both academic insight and a fresh perspective to the sport.

Bella has collaborated with platforms like WTF1, conducted interviews with drivers such as Daniel Ricciardo and Oliver Bearman, and engaged with team principals like Christian Horner on the F1 Red Carpet!

Her content spans TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where she shares behind-the-scenes glimpses from events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Monaco E-Prix.

In 2025, Bella joined Sky Sports F1, marking a significant step in her career. Additionally, Bella has appeared on The Fast and the Curious, a podcast hosted by Driven By Us friends Greg James, Betty Glover, and Christian Hewgill.

In these episodes, she provides race debriefs and insights, contributing to the podcast’s engaging discussions on Formula 1.

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With a dynamic career that spans the worlds of entertainment and elite motorsport, Emma Walsh brings a truly unique voice to the industry.

Originally from Cape Town and now based in London, Emma began her journey as a professional dancer, singer, and stunt performer — including a role in the West End production of Grease The Musical.

Never one to sit on the sidelines, she holds a race licence and has competed in the Mini Challenge UK. Her on-track experience, love for cars, and stunt background led to hosting the Autosport Live Action Arena Show for the past five years, alongside motorsport legends like Johnny Herbert, Shmee150, and David Croft.

One of the UK’s first female car content creators on YouTube, Emma made history by interviewing Sebastian Vettel in collaboration with Shell V-Power. She’s also appeared on F1TV, creating engaging, personality-led content that reflects her deep passion for the sport — and has collaborated with a range of F1 and Formula E teams, sponsors, and drivers.

Her global brand partnerships include Ferrari, McLaren, Audi, BMW, Maserati, Bentley, PUMA, Lego, IWC, Cartier, Petronas, and more. Emma is known for her energetic storytelling and authentic connection to the fast-paced world of motorsport — both on and off the track.

About Shanna:

Shanna Raj is an Australian motorsport content creator and presenter based in London, known for her engaging presence in the world of motorsports. 

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Isi Browning is a dynamic motorsport presenter and commentator, the lead commentator for F1 Kids, Formula 1’s youth-focused broadcast initiative.

She made her F1 debut at the Monaco Grand Prix, leading the broadcast for F1 Kids and bringing energy and clarity to motorsport coverage for younger audiences.

Isi has presented and reported across various motorsport events, including pitlane reporting and commentary roles. She has also worked with ITV and other sports broadcasters, showcasing her versatility across different sporting disciplines.

Represented by Loudspeaker Talent Agency, Isi continues to expand her presence in sports media, combining her passion for motorsport with a commitment to engaging diverse audiences.

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Katrina Ee is a 15-year-old Malaysian-Hong Kong racing driver making her car racing debut in the 2025 Ginetta Junior Championship with Tim Gray Motorsport.

A four-time Asian karting champion, she has competed across the IAME Asia Series, Rotax Max Challenge Asia, and ROK Cup Asia.  

In 2024, Katrina was selected as one of six drivers in the inaugural cohort of the More than Equal Driver Development Programme, founded by David Coulthard. This initiative provides comprehensive support including physical training, nutrition, psychology, and driver coaching to help talented female drivers reach elite levels of motorsport

Katrina made her car racing debut at Donington Park this year (2025), finishing P21 in her first race and showing consistent improvement throughout the weekend. She aims to progress to Formula 4 and aspires to become the first female Formula 1 driver from her region. 

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Kyan Francis is a content creator and presenter known for his engaging blend of humour and insightful analysis.

With over 120,000 followers on Instagram, he has captivated audiences by covering events like the British Grand Prix and the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

A graduate in sport science and coaching from Nottingham Trent University, Kyan has collaborated with brands such as F1 Arcade and Topps. He’s also interviewed prominent figures in motorsport, including Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari’s HQ, and attended his first Formula E race with DS Automobiles UK at the London E-Prix

Kyan continues to make waves in the motorsport community, bringing fresh perspectives to the racing world.

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Billy Jeans is a British motorsport engineer currently serving as a Trackside Power Unit Engineer at Red Bull Racing.

He joined the team in 2024, just after the summer shutdown, and quickly became an integral part of their championship-winning season. With only two days to prepare before his first race, Billy embraced the challenges of Formula 1, contributing to Red Bull’s success. 

Before his tenure at Red Bull, Billy gained valuable experience at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains. He began with a 12-month placement in 2015, working on the Energy Recovery System (ERS) build, and later returned as an Electronics Engineering Graduate after completing his MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Brunel University. At Mercedes, he was involved in the development of control electronics for their Formula E program

Billy’s journey from student engineer to a key player in top-tier motorsport showcases his dedication and adaptability in the high-pressure world of Formula 1.

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Amber Jones is a motorsport presenter, media trainer, and diversity advocate, returning as a guest after co-hosting Season 1 of the Driven By Us podcast.

She’s presented for top motorsport platforms including WTF1, GT Cup Championship, Ferrari Challenge UK, and Daytona Motorsport, covering circuits like Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

In 2024, she was part of the presenting team for the Ferrari HP Esports Series Grand Final in Abu Dhabi.

Amber also leads media training workshops for young drivers, notably with the More than Equal program, helping female athletes build confidence and authentic self-representation in the paddock and beyond. Her mission: open the doors of motorsport to the next generation especially young women on and off the track.

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George Imafidon MBE is a humanitarian engineer, entrepreneur, and advocate for diversity in STEM. Raised in Peckham, South London, George co-founded and leads Motivez, an award-winning organisation that has empowered over 9,000 underserved young people in the UK to access STEM opportunities. His commitment to social impact earned him the Diana Award in 2019.

In motorsport, George serves as a Race Engineer for X44 Vida Carbon Racing, the Extreme E team founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton. He also contributed to the Hamilton Commission, aiming to increase Black representation in UK motorsport. Recognised for his contributions, George was named the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Young Engineer of the Year in 2022 and received an MBE in 2023 for services to engineering, technology, and young people.

In 2023, George became the Non-Executive Director of Driven By Us, a community interest company co-founded with James Dornor. Driven By Us aims to empower aspiring leaders from ethnic minorities and underserved groups within the automotive and motorsport industries. Under their leadership, the organisation has established the first recognised ethnic minority-led motorsport community within the UK, providing a transformative platform for inclusivity and representation. 

About Nina-Jade Paul:

Nina-Jade Paul is a dynamic sports presenter and broadcaster, specializing in motorsport with a particular focus on Formula 1. Represented by Loudspeaker Talent Agency, she is recognised for her assured and energetic on-screen presence, and is considered an emerging talent in the field. Her career has seen her work closely with Ferrari, including serving as a pit lane reporter for the Ferrari Challenge series in the United States. In addition to motorsport, she has a background in football broadcasting, showcasing her versatility and ability to engage audiences across different sports 

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