[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/goodbye-grid-girls\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/goodbye-grid-girls\/","headline":"Goodbye Grid Girls, Hello Feminism","name":"Goodbye Grid Girls, Hello Feminism","description":"As we wave goodbye to Formula 1\u2019s gorgeous grid girls, some of us are left wondering exactly how we got to this point and why they had to go. It\u2019s clear that feminism plays a large part in the decision that lead to the grid girls going, but there are still debates as to whether or not it\u2019s justified. From family households to workplaces to TV chat shows, everyone\u2019s arguing about how getting rid of the grid girls is right\/wrong, […]","datePublished":"2018-02-09","dateModified":"2018-02-09","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/F1-Grid-girls.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/F1-Grid-girls.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/goodbye-grid-girls\/","about":["BLOG","MOTORSPORT"],"wordCount":556,"keywords":["f1","feminism","formula 1","Grid girls","motorsport"],"articleBody":"As we wave goodbye to Formula 1\u2019s gorgeous grid girls, some of us are left wondering exactly how we got to this point and why they had to go. It\u2019s clear that feminism plays a large part in the decision that lead to the grid girls going, but there are still debates as to whether or not it\u2019s justified.From family households to workplaces to TV chat shows, everyone\u2019s arguing about how getting rid of the grid girls is right\/wrong, but the truth is, there\u2019s merit to both sides of the argument.Most in favour of the grid girls getting the sack will argue that these young women are being objectified for the pleasure of men, which actually, is a hard statement to argue against. After all, if that wasn\u2019t the case then surely we\u2019d see more variety than just females in their early 20s with long legs, toned tummies, long perfect hair and about 5 foot 6 inches tall, all of which are conventionally attractive traits.The fact is that over 90% of F1 viewers are male so it makes sense that Formula 1 would use attractive, sometimes scantily clad female models that parade around to advertise the sport. Very much like how we see sexy women in perfume ads and music videos, Formula 1 was simply using sex to sell.On the other hand, it\u2019s just as easy to argue that being a professional model is no less of a job than being a racing driver. If someone were to argue that the grid girls are only there to look good for the men, they would be insulting their very occupation. As a result of Formula 1 deciding to get rid of the established custom of having grid girls, those young ladies will now lose the job that they not only loved doing, but may also have relied on. Is it a victory for feminism when hundreds of women are soon to lose their jobs because of this?The decision came from the managing director of Formula 1 and went public on January 31st where it was stated that:\u201cFormula 1 will end the long-standing practice of using walk-on grid girls, commencing with the start of the 2018 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.\u201dMany grid girls have expressed their disappointment with being made redundant. Rebecca Cooper, a former grid girl, suggests that this is \u201cPC gone mad\u201d and that it\u2019s \u201cridiculous that women who say they are \u201cfighting for women’s rights\u201d are saying what others should and shouldn’t do, stopping us from doing a job we love\u201d.Glamorous female models have been part of motorsport for a very long time, with Japanese model and singer Rosa Ogawa being recognised as the original grid girl back in the 60s. Since then, beautiful women have become synonymous with the glamour and grandeur of the motorsport and along the way, many of them are thankful for the opportunities they\u2019ve been given, including the likes of Katie Price and Kelly Brook.They will be sorely missed by countless viewers, drivers and crew members as we welcome a new age. An age where the drivers are not awkwardly clapped on by a harem of smiling female models, but rather celebrate the event with the children that are aspiring to be racers themselves, known as grid kids."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Goodbye Grid Girls, Hello Feminism","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/goodbye-grid-girls\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]