In 2021, as increasing numbers of sportspeople are feeling comfortable about coming out, there are still people working in Formula 1 and other series who feel they cannot be honest about their sexuality and gender identity, even after 25 to 30 years of working in motorsport.
Several officials inside racing organisations say that despite drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, both of whom have worn Pride colours at various races this season, being supportive allies, many queer people in team garages feel more comfortable staying closeted.
Matt Bishop, Aston Martin's chief communications officer, has worked in motorsport for over 25 years, and as, he says, "the only [out] gay in the F1 village" in the 1990s, he has often fielded messages from people struggling to come out to colleagues after years in the industry.