Formula One is unparalleled when it comes to cutting-edge advancements on the track, and now its catching up to modern society. F1 announced Wednesday that the sport would no longer employ “grid girls,” beginning with the 2018 season, which starts March 25 at the Australian Grand Prix.
Formula One stops use of ‘grid girls’ for 2018 season
It’s a chance to bring the sport up to “modern day societal norms.”
Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Grid girls are models who have been employed by Formula One for decades, normally wearing promotional material and being tasked with holding umbrellas, driver name cards, and lining the route to the podium after races. There were signs that Formula One could be ending the tradition following a December interview with the BBC in which F1 managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn said the use of grid girls was “under review.”
Now Formula One is explaining why they reached their decision. In a statement Wednesday Sean Bratches, managing director, commercial operations at Formula 1 said it was about bringing the sport into the present.
“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 is being met with applause from some fans of the sport, with others decrying the decision.
Formula One’s move follows professional darts, which a week ago announced they would no longer have “walk-on girls,” which were similarly a staple of events. The Women’s Sports Trust applauded the decision, and are now in support of F1 for making similar changes changes.
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