23/05/2018
NEWS STORY
As part of its aim to make the sport more inclusive, F1's new owners have this year done away with the age old practice of grid girls and instead introduced grid kids to the pre-race proceedings.
This weekend's race in Monaco however, where glitz and glamour has always ruled, is likely to see grid girl back in the spotlight as organisers opt for their traditional approach.
Asked for their views on the controversial topic, though blinded by the harsh lighting in the press conference room, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were under no illusions as to where they stand.
"I think women are the most beautiful thing in the world," said the Briton. "There have been races where we've had guys standing at the front, by the car, there's been a mixture sometimes... in the past...
"I think Monaco is a very elegant Grand Prix and... I don't know how women feel about it, I've not really ever spoke to them about how they feel about the whole situation," the world champion continued.
"I can't particularly comment, I don't particularly feel any way about it... when we pull up at the grid and there's a beautiful woman on the grid, that's the Monaco Grand Prix, it's a lovely thing.
"But I definitely don't think we should ever be supporting anything that makes women in general feel uncomfortable, and if they are then we shouldn't do it. But if they're comfortable doing it..."
"I think the whole thing has been blown up, unnecessarily," added Vettel. "I don't think any of the grid girls in the past were forced to do it, I think they enjoyed what they were doing.
"I agree with Lewis," he continued, "I think they look beautiful.
"If there were guys I would just not be interested," he admitted, "nothing against those guys, but I just didn't care as much.
"Bottom line, I think there's too much of a fuss nowadays, I think all the women who did it in the past did it because they want to, and if we ask any grid girl on Sunday if they are happy to be there, I'm sure their answer will be 'yes'. I don't think anybody forces them to do it.
"I think it's a lot of noise for nothing."
Check out our Wednesday gallery from Monaco, here.