End of road for ‘grid girls’ on F1 not what I’d call ‘liberating’

I’LL tell you what I want, what I really, really want — a Spice Girls Reunion!

Granted, it’s not something I would have campaigned for but, well, it’s happening.

So, in the spirit of Girl Power, let’s welcome Baby, Posh, Scary (I met her once and she really is) Sporty and Ginger back to the pop scene.

And let’s go with the PR spin that it’s all to do with feminism and “the year of the woman” — and nothing to do with the glittering £ signs in their eyes.

In fairness, they stood for being strong, empowered women when there wasn’t a particular wave of feminism sweeping the country, all side-kicks and punches, toned midriffs a Union Jack handkerchief masquerading as a dress.

And now, 20 years later, they are returning — to a backdrop of news that female models paid to parade at darts and motoring events are to be banned.

So, why, given I’m a feminist (a term I’m coming to dislike, as I believe every human being is equal and should be treated so) am I so riled?

We are told we should rejoice at this news — at the banning of women showcased like cattle for the titillation of men.

But how can banning anything (that is legal) be “liberating”?

These so-called “grid girls” are

devastated at losing their income, their lifestyle — but more, their freedom to choose what they want to do. The critics of such models tell us it’s all bottom slapping and male egos in these stadiums — but there are plenty of models who will tell you it’s not.

And there are plenty of women — from actresses to office workers — who will tell you that inappropriate sexual advances are not confined to sporting events.

While many celebrated “feminists” make money from their brains, why forbid someone from making a living because they happen to have a pleasing face or curves?

Unlike many of the “great minds” on news shows currently deriding ladies in Lycra, many of those paid to promote sporting events didn’t have the opportunity to go to university. As far as career breaks and lifestyle changes go, they are living their own dream.

And so, does this boil down, in part, to classism? For centuries, the middle and upper-classes have paid fortunes to hang naked paintings of women by famous artists, such as Botticelli, in their homes.

So, why is a real woman in more clothes doing nothing illegal so offensive?

If feminism means equality, I hope they are also calling for a ban on male models who promote sport with toned torsos — and coming up with an alternative career choice for the women who find themselves scanning the small ads looking for work.

F1 owners Liberty Media is planning to do away with “grid girls”.