Grid girls banned at Formula 1, has time arrived for bikes to follow suit? POLL

Gird girls are in the eye of the storm during the latest weeks. Following the “at odds with modern day societal norms” practice, F1 recently announced they would no longer hire “grid girls”, female models who perform promotional work during races.

Negative reactions

This controversial decision made some of the grid girls angry, who actually railed against what they see as “an overreach of political correctness”. Rebecca Cooper, now-former grid girl, wrote on twitter that “Ridiculous that women who say they are ‘fighting for women’s rights’ are saying what others should and shouldn’t do, stopping us from doing a job we love and are proud to do. PC gone mad”.

Meanwhile, Michelle Westby wrote on Facebook that her personal experience as a “grid girl” helped on her way for an entrance to the male-dominated world of stunt and drift competition driving. She also said a lot of women will lose a source of income, blaming “feminists.”

Positive reactions

Sean Bratches, Formula 1’s managing director for commercial operations, stated in favor of the decision. Actually, he wrote on the circuit’s website that: “Over the last year, we have looked at a number of areas which we felt needed updating so as to be more in tune with our vision for this great sport. […]. We don’t believe the practice is appropriate […] to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world.”

This announcement inspired a similar decision by Professional Darts Corporation, which said they will no longer employ “walk-on girls” who accompany male competitors to the stage. Female models are still used as “sexual objects” at cycling, boxing and mixed martial arts competitions.

The Women’s Sport Trust said in a statement that “We strongly encourage sports such as cycling, boxing and UFC to follow darts and Formula 1 and reconsider the use of podium girls, ring girls and octagon girls”, supporting Formula 1’s decision.

POLL

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