Formula 1's decision to drop grid girls does not mean the sport has banned beautiful women from being involved in the sport insists F1 boss Chase Carey.
The decision to drop grid girls received a mixed response with some fans backing the move, whilst many have criticised it, including some of the grid girls themselves.
Carey admitted had the decision been his alone, he would have kept grid girls, but accepts the world is a constantly evolving place where traditions become outdated and tough decisions must be made, he therefore wasn't surprised by the mixed reaction.
"We expected the reaction," Carey told Sport Bild. "Some people like the decision, others didn't – especially those fans who grew up with them. I respect that. If it was up to me alone…​​I liked the grid girls! And I also know that many women have done this job with great pride.
"But it's not about me, it's about the future of the sport and if there's a significant group who think grid girls are no longer fit for the world, it must not be ignored."
The move, where girls will be replaced by 'grid kids', doesn't mean "beautiful women" won't still be a feature in the sport insists the American.
"One must not be so stubborn, to hold on to what made sense 20 years ago. The world keeps evolving," he added.
"That doesn't mean that we won't have any pretty girls at the races now. Glamour and beautiful women will always belong to Formula 1, I can promise that."
Discussion about this post