Australian GP to replace grid girls

As the howls of protest continue, the Australia Grand Prix Corporation is replacing grid girls with “karting kids”.

Formula 1 owner Liberty Media has announced that it will no longer use grid girls for the entirety of its 21-races 2018 season. In response, Australian F1 fans have ceremoniously lost the plot, either leaping to the defence of the latest “victims” of political correctness or applauding the F1 owner’s decision.

Indeed, the nation has not been this passionately divided since the great ‘democracy sausage’ debate of 2016.

Sean Bratches, Managing Director, Commercial Operations at Formula 1 was the bearer of bad news, announcing “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. While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 Grands Prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms,”

It’s the ‘modern day societal norms’ that Bratches speaks of, that has seemingly sent Australians into a moral quandary and new levels of outrage, some even linking the F1 decision to the #metoo movement that highlights the allegations of sexual misconduct in the entertainment world and beyond.

“We don’t believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world.” Bratches concluded.

While some Australian are bemoaning the decision, many branding it tokenistic, out of work grid girls are furious that they appear to have no voice on this topic.

Some have taken to social media to share some facts in a debate where there are few. In brief, they love their jobs. They choose their job. They do not feel objectified.

UK-based professional grid girl Hannah James Hannah James @hannahjamespromo takes the discussion further, suggesting so-called feminists are giving the real feminists a bad name. “…to have a ‘feminist’ sit on a talk show saying how she thinks grid girls should be banned, thus meaning a loss of job and income for women is completely contradictory.” writes James.

Speaking exclusively to motoring.com.au boss of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Andrew Westacott, says he’s ‘extremely comfortable’ with Liberty’s decision and recognises the grid girls are not victims, but employees who enjoy the ambassadorial role they once played.

“Liberty Media, as the new owner of Formula 1, has a very clear direction and strategy about what it wants to achieve and moving forward -- whether that’s in digital, fan engagement or partnerships. In this area it relates to grid girls,” Westacott told motoring.com.au

So what’s to come of the now glamourless grid at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix?

Westacott is excited about the opportunities this change represents.

“We’ll have what we call ‘karting kids’ take position on the grid. They will be typically [aged] 10, 11 to 14 who are involved in karting, or maybe open wheel racing at CAMS.

“This will give them a great opportunity to be close to their heroes, provide aspiration and a once in a lifetime opportunity to be on the grid.”

Adelaide’s Tour Down Under used youth cycling ambassadors at its recent UCI ProTour cycling event.

In recent years at the AusGP we’ve had young motorsport participants hold the flags of nations during the national anthem.

“This year they’ll double up, with about 20 kids on grid and another 20 holding the national flags.” said Westacott.

For our grid girls however, we can only assume they are now looking for work to cover their lost income as a result of this announcement.

Victims, no. Unemployed, yes.