Formula 1 to scrap use of grid girls from 2018

Grid girls will no longer feature in Formula 1 from the start of the 2018 season.

The sport announced the move ahead of the new campaign, which begins in March, after deciding that the long-standing practice is “clearly at odds with modern-day societal norms”.

“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 F1 commercial chief 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.”

Grid girls, or promotional models, have been a staple presence at F1 grands prix for decades and are most associated with holding the marker boards for each driver in front of grid slots.

They also routinely form guards of honours for drivers on the way to the pre-race track parade and the podium.

F1’s announcement follows a similar move by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), who have decided to end the practice of using walk-on girls to accompany players with immediate effect.

Formula 1 revealed before Christmas that the concept was under review amid a series of changes they are looking to make to the look and feel of the sport.

At the Monaco GP in 2015, F1 used male models to stand on the grid in a one-off change but the move was criticised by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel who said: “You get there and park behind George or Dave. What’s the point?”