Formula 1 | Liberty Media Revolution: "grid girls" abolished from the starting grid

Sensational turnaround signed by Liberty Media. From next season, in fact, the "grid girls" will no longer be present within the starting grid. With a press release issued a few minutes ago, the US organization has made the news official, however underlining how the "umbrellas" will remain inside the paddock and in the marketing areas. A sensational twist given the contrary opinion expressed by the pilots and some sponsors quite close to the Circus. Liberty has chosen to overturn the image of the Circus, focusing on a profoundly different idea of ​​women within motorsport. The directive will be valid from the next Australian Grand Prix, the inaugural event of the 2018 Formula One World Championship.

Here is the statement issued by Sean Bratches

Formula 1 will end the long tradition of "grid girls" starting from the start of the season of the 1 Formula 2018 World Championship. These changes will also apply to other motorsport series which take place during the Grand Prix weekends. Formula 1 regards the time spent by teams and drivers on the grid before the race as a time of celebration, during which guests and various artists can add to the glamor and spectacle of the Grand Prix, allowing promoters and members to promote their countries and products.

Sean Braches, Managing Director of Commercial Operations of Formula 1 said: “Over the last year we saw areas that we thought needed revamping to be more in line with our vision for this great sport. The practice of hiring “grid girls” has been a staple of Formula 1 Grands Prix for decades, but we think this tradition does not reflect the values ​​of the brand and is clearly at odds with the standards of today's society. We do not believe this activity is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and his fans, old and new, from around the world.”

Roberto Valenti