Monaco, Russia want grid girls back
Boeri doesn’t like to stop models from earning a living, Russia says it’s wrong to use kids at races
>> PARIS: The Grand Prix events in Monaco and Russia want to bring grid girls back to Formula One.
The boss of the Monaco Grand Prix is planning to reverse Formula One’s recent modernisation of some traditions by retaining ‘grid girls’ at the glamorous Mediterranean race weekend in May.
The sport announced it was replacing ‘gird girls’ with ‘grid kids’ before the start of the 2018 season in a move that was well received despite misgivings from older traditionalists.
The new ‘grid kids’ who accompanied the F1 drivers on the grid were karting and junior racing drivers at last month’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
But the chief organiser of this year’s Monaco race to take place on May 27 has insisted on retaining the grid girls.
President of the Automobile Club de Monaco Michel Boeri told Monaco Matin newspaper that he had a good relationship with F1’s new American owners Liberty Media.
“They understand that Monaco is not Spa, or Monza,” he said. “We’ve had no problems with Liberty Media. Except for the grid girls issue.
“They’ll be there on the grid, but they won’t be holding any nameboards. They’re pretty — and the cameras will be on them once again.”
Boeri added: “Our American friends assume that it could hurt the feminine feelings when employing young women to carry signs. Our hostesses complete model and PR schools. They perform during the Grand Prix at events that are in line with their training. And they are paid for it.
“The grid girls look pretty and are part of the Formula 1 landscape. Why in the world should I stop 30 girls from earning a living?”
Meanwhile, Russia wants “beautiful’’ girls on the grid for September’s race, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who oversees the Russian Grand Prix, said.
“If we can reach an agreement we will revive this tradition,’’ Kozak said in comments reported by Russia news agency Interfax. “Moreover, our girls are the most beautiful.’’
F1 managing director for commercial operations Sean Bratches said in January the practice of using grid girls — paid models in uniform — wasn’t “appropriate or relevant’’ anymore. Their role has been given to socalled “grid kids,’’ young drivers from local motorsport clubs.
Kozak disagreed with the switch, saying, “It’s wrong at races to lead out children, who are frightened of mechanical things. You need grownups. In all kinds of motorsport, girls advertise the cars and it looks harmonious and pretty.’’
Until last season, women dressed in uniform walked out onto the grid shortly before the race and stood in front of each driver’s car, holding up the driver’s number. Women also stood with the winner on the podium after the race.
The Russian GP takes place on Sept 30 in what will be the Sochi circuit’s fifth year on the F1 calendar.