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Team bosses supporting F1 'grid girls'

Published on 21 Dec 2017 10:50
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By: Rob Veenstra

Team bosses have now come out to defend the concept of 'grid girls' in formula one. F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn has said the practice of having attractive women fulfil the role as 'grid girls' is under review. Max Verstappen insisted last week: "The grid girls must stay." And Nico Hulkenberg added: "It would be a pity if they took the eye-jewellery from the grid."

Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne joined the fray this week by supporting the idea of grid girls, and now his Italian colleague Maurzio Arrivabene says he agrees. "Grid girls were an integral part of formula one for many years. I think Ross Brawn has more complex and important things to take care of," he said.

Niki Lauda told Austrian broadcaster Servus TV: "The emancipation of women is perfectly right, and in fact they are in the process of overtaking us. But why should they not be allowed to stand on the grid anymore?"

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko said of the proposal grid girl ban: "I just cannot imagine that. In America, cheerleaders appear before, during and after every game so I see no reason why this should not be done in formula one. I think we have other worries," he said. (GMM)

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475

I think it's fine to have grid girls as long as they are not dressed like prostitutes. The demeaning is not in them standing there, but them standing there as eye candy in the worst possible way. Yes other sports use cheerleaders, but F1 shouldn't aspire to be like NASCAR, or heaven-forbid the f*... [Read more]

2
Dec 21 2017 - 19:01

F1 News Max Verstappen Ferrari

Replies (5)

Harryw

Posts: 107
These ladies are not forced to do it. It's their choice. Perhaps they should speak to them.
- + 0
- Dec 21 2017 - 13:00
talktohenry

Posts: 362
HarryW, you make it sound like they are hookers! It's really no big deal, they not exactly naked, and adds a bit of glamour, think we gone way to PC in today's society, and I am surprised Ross doesn't see this, plus it's a male dominated viewing audience.
- + 1
- Dec 21 2017 - 13:52
- krommenaas
  
  Posts: 155
  I'm anti-PC and I still think F1 should get rid of the grid girls, or at least get 50% grid boys. It's not that it's morally wrong or anything, just that it projects an image of a juvenile boys club. I'd rather F1 be more universal.
  + 0
  
  Dec 21 2017 - 14:05
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Im hardly anti-PC, being Swede and all, but what Krommenaas is saying is pretty much my stance on it. It doesnt legit contribute to the show, and it makes it seem like a juvenile boy's club.
  + 0
  
  Dec 21 2017 - 17:18
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
I think it's fine to have grid girls as long as they are not dressed like prostitutes. The demeaning is not in them standing there, but them standing there as eye candy in the worst possible way. Yes other sports use cheerleaders, but F1 shouldn't aspire to be like NASCAR, or heaven-forbid the f***ing NFL.
- + 2
- Dec 21 2017 - 19:01