Formula 1 and the FIA have announced that grid girls will be replaced by grid kids for the 2018 season.
Despite having a long history at the pinnacle of motorsport, it was announced at the end of January that the practice of having grid girls would be scrapped with immediate effect ahead of the start of the new F1 season in March.
The 'Grid Kids' initiative will provide youngsters and their families with the unique opportunity of being part of a race weekend and will give children the chance to stand alongside their racing heroes on the grid as they prepare for the race. Their families will also receive paddock access during the race weekend.
Children will be selected for this opportunity through their motorsport clubs and must be competing in karting or in junior formulae.
“This will be an extraordinary moment for these youngsters: imagine, standing beside their heroes, watch as they prepare to race, the elite of the elite in motorsport, to be there, alongside them in those precious few minutes just before the start," said Sean Bratches, F1's Managing Director of Commercial Operations.
"What an unforgettable experience, for them, and their families.
"An inspiration to keep driving, training and learning so that they can dream of one day being there themselves. What better way to inspire the next generation of Formula 1 heroes."
Jean Todt, the President of the FIA added: “Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motor sport and the dream of every young racer competing the junior series that make up the FIA’s single-seater pyramid, from karting all the way to F1.
"We are therefore delighted to bring that dream a little closer by giving the future champions of our sport the opportunity to stand alongside their heroes on the grid in the build-up to the race start.
"For the wider FIA, this is an excellent initiative that provides additional support to our members," he added.
Where possible, grid kids will also be used for feeder series Formula 2 and GP3 Series.
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