Think some of you missed the point;
Most Influential is just that, Influential. He's a black guy that defied a lot of the odds to get where he is. His mantra has been about having a dream and striving to realise it; which he did, and is something he frequently mentions about telling others, particularly children that if they really want something, to have a go at it. That alone makes him someone young people can look up to and sports like Formula 1 are huge in Europe and Lewis has gone about being one of if not the most successful there has ever been. His rise to where he is now is actually quite contrary to that of many of the other drivers around him that either came from being the child of a former motor sporting parent, coming in with a big backer or otherwise been wealthy enough to afford to self finance. Apart from being black, even his story on getting into F1 he had to do it on merit.
He also supports a lot of charities and causes, particularly those that cater for children; whether they are ill or in need of guidance.
His commission into diversity is not based on affirmative action but looking at the grass roots reasons as to why there are next to no black men or women involved in racing; as a driver, engineer, mechanic etc. It's not about forcing in the numbers but trying to out why it's not as common and if so, look at creating foundations to build upon that would give them an opportunity skill up to be able to get involved.