Formula 1 owners Liberty Media has revealed that the use of ‘grid girls’ is under “strong review”.
Grid girls - models who wear sponsor-branded clothing or carry driver name boards - has been a major talking point in the sport. Many fans have criticised the objectification of women while others say there’s more pressing issues for Liberty to think about.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, F1 managing director of motorsports Ross Brawn said that the use of grid girls is a “delicate topic” and a decision will soon be made on their future.
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Brawn said: “We’re trying to respect all parties. There’s a lot of people who respect the tradition of the grid girls and there’s people who feel that it has become a bit dated, so we’re addressing that.”
F1 chief executive officer Chase Carey told the BBC that the sport’s management will listen to the opinions of teams, sponsors and fans before a decision is made.
“What we need to do is get as many points of view as possible and make a decision right for the future of the sport,” said Carey. “Is it something from the past, or is it something distinct that should be part of the future?
“I don’t think it will be a personal decision for me. I may have a point of view but, when you have a sport, you are dealing with teams and a large eco-system and a large fanbase that is very passionate. There is never going to be a consensus, but a set of views.”
The BBC asked a number of F1 personnel about the grid girl issue:
Red Bull boss Christian Horner: “We’ve had grid boys and that’s been criticised. In Austria we’ve had children going on to the drivers’ trailer and that has been criticised. You are never going to get it right and we live in a modern society and we have to be open to everything. Women play a key role and, borrowing a phrase from my wife [former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell], girl power is very strong in F1. In our team we have a lot of women in senior positions and they are doing a tremendous job. Look at Claire Williams - new mum and combining that with running the Williams team.”
Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo: “It’s what you grew up with. I guess as a kid even, you see the umbrella girls, the grid girls. It’s part of the attraction of the sport.”
Silverstone boss Stuart Pringle: “Lycra can stay in the 1970s and 80s for me, I don’t want any of that tarty nonsense.”
What do F1 fans think? They have their say on Twitter:
Too small an issue for Liberty Media?
Equality is a dream.
“It adds nothing and makes people uncomfortable”.
First the logo, now the grid girls…
Keep the grid girls!
Another big question for F1 owners.
F1 is “killing itself”.
This fan says grid girls are part of the objectification of women.
How about team mascots instead?
