05/04/2018
NEWS STORY
In late January, Formula One Management (FOM) announced that it was to end the practice of using walk-on grid girls.
"Formula 1 considers the time spent by teams and drivers on the grid before a race as one of celebration, where guests and various performers can add to the glamour and spectacle of the Grand Prix, enabling promoters and partners to showcase their countries and products," said FOM in a statement explaining its decision.
"Over the last year we have looked at a number of areas which we felt needed updating so as to be more in tune with our vision for this great sport," said commercial boss Sean Bratches. "While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 Grands Prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms. We don’t believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world."
The decision, which came at a time a number of other sports made similar moves, split fans, team bosses and even drivers, Sebastian Vettel admitting that he would miss them.
Well, the German will be delighted to hear that the forthcoming Monaco Grand Prix will see the return of grid girls as organisers feel they add to the glamour.
"The relationship is good with Liberty Media, because they understand that Monaco is not Spa or Monza," ACM president Michel Boeri told Monaco-Matin.
"We've had no problems with Liberty Media, except for the grid girl issue," he added. "They'll be there, on the grid, but won't be holding any name-boards. They're pretty and the cameras will be on them once again."
In Russia also the girls will be present. Dmitry Kozak, the country's deputy prime minister telling Interfax: "If we can reach an agreement we will revive this tradition.
"Moreover, our girls are the most beautiful," he added.
Check out our Thursday gallery from Bahrain, here.