Formula 1: The push for grid girls to return continues
By Alex Herbst
Despite a ban being put in place at the beginning of 2018, multiple Grand Prix races are pushing for a return of the Formula 1 grid girls later this season.
The evolution of Formula 1 under the leadership of new owners Liberty Media has been swift to start the 2018 season. A new plan for media rights through a standalone app, a new American TV partner, a new anthem, and new relationships with teams are the highlights so far. Perhaps one of the low lights for some fans has been the disappearance of the grid girls, banned at the beginning of the season. Now, multiple Grand Prix races are lobbying hard for their return.
Already the Monaco Grand Prix has confirmed that grid girls will be a presence at the traditional Memorial Day race through a tie-in with sponsor Tag Heuer. Other races later on the 2018 calendar are hoping to follow suit. Two of the races, the Russian Grand Prix and Singapore Grand Prix, have gone public with their desire to see the policy reversed.
Sergey Vorobyev, deputy general director of the promoter of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, had this to say about the matter:
"It’s the Russian GP and he has all the rights to voice an opinion. It’s a good opinion, actually. We are looking for ways to do things properly, and together with FOM we’re in the process of looking for a solution.More from Formula OneFormula 1: Top Red Bull threat identified for 2024Formula 1: Why the Max Verstappen retirement obsession?Formula 1: Williams ‘mistake’ hints Logan Sargeant’s futureFormula 1 awaiting key confirmation for 2024 seasonFormula 1: The ‘championship’ Max Verstappen only leads by 3 pointsIt is very true that Russian girls are absolutely beautiful, and if they are not going to be on the grid, it will be a pity for the event and for the TV pictures. We’re obviously not against kids. We have a lot of creative options, and we’re in the process of searching. For the audience it’s been a hot topic, and it’s a problem for our sponsors.Actually last year and this year as well it was planned as an option for one of our sponsors, Lukoil. So we have to find a way to make the sponsor happy as well."
Formula One has replaced the grid girls with a program called “grid kids”, where instead children get the opportunity to hold the signs outside of the various cars on the grid. This program would likely continue in conjunction with any return of the grid girls. However, with continued sponsor pressure, including from many airline companies that sponsor races and offer their stewardesses as grid girls, F1 could be put in an untenable situation.
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Do you want to see the grid girls back on track with Formula 1 in 2018? Do you think it is inappropriate for the world championship to bring the practice back? Stay tuned to Beyond The Flag for more updates on this story as the F1 season continues.