University of Leeds student awarded Lewis Hamilton Scholarship joins Red Bull Racing F1 team
University of Leeds student Lily Owuye will take up a graduate engineering role after completing her MSc in Automotive Engineering.
Photo credit: Lily Owuye
Lily Owuye, 23, a University of Leeds MSc Automotive Engineering student, is set to join Red Bull Racing’s Formula One team as a graduate engineer in vehicle science.
She is one of eight recipients of the Lewis Hamilton Scholarship, an initiative designed to address underrepresentation in motorsport and STEM fields.
Scholarship created to improve diversity in motorsport
The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Masters in Motorsport Scholarship was launched in 2022 in partnership with Lewis Hamilton’s Mission 44 foundation. It was established following recommendations from the Hamilton Commission on increasing representation of Black professionals in UK motorsport.
Lily studied design engineering as an undergraduate at Imperial College London before gaining experience with race teams during placements. Her year-long scholarship included financial support, access to workshops, and opportunities to meet motorsport professionals. The cohort also attended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and met Lewis Hamilton.
Reflecting on the scholarship, Lily says visibility in motorsport is critical for aspiring engineers from minority backgrounds. “Growing up, you realise what representation is - it can just be a thing of visibility. People rely on visibility for the people they want to look up to.
“This sport reaches so many people and has a really public image, so the work of the scholarship shines a light on the progress being made.
“There might be people out there who come from a minority background and they're considering their options and think, I'm not sure if this is the industry that I want to target.
“It might be a relief for them knowing that they're not going to be alone, and they'll be supported. I really do feel like steps are being made in the right direction.
“You can really see that Lewis’s work has had a tangible impact on the entire community and he uses his platform in such a positive way.”
Support networks and role models
While studying in Leeds, Lily engaged with the Plus Programme, which supports students from underrepresented backgrounds, and joined a reverse mentoring scheme where she was paired with the University of Leeds’ Chief Operating Officer Rachel Brealey.
She also credits the work of outreach organizations such as Driven By Us and draws inspiration from role models like Stephanie Travers, a former trackside fluid engineer for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 and now Senior Impact Manager at Mission 44.
During her studies, Lily says her family provided consistent support. “My parents have been fantastic, supportive and enthusiastic and they instilled a really strong work ethic in me from very early on. I hope there's a time in the near future where I'm able to include them in what I'm doing, because I’m incredibly grateful to them.”
Rachel Brealey says Lily’s achievements reflect the importance of initiatives designed to widen access. “Lily’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when talent is met with opportunity. Her achievements reflect not only her own determination and brilliance, but also the impact of inclusive initiatives like the MSc Motorsport Scholarship.
“It’s been a privilege getting to know Lily through our reverse mentoring scheme - she’s thoughtful, driven, and full of insight and her resilience and ambition are truly inspiring. I’ve really enjoyed our conversations and have learned so much from her. I can’t wait to see what she does next,” Brealey says.
