Ecclestone criticizes “prudish” decision after end of grid girls

Ad Wednesday by Liberty Medium, the end of the tradition of grid girls in Formula 1 and in the championships organized as a curtain raiser on the race weekends never cease to arouse reactions. Sean Bratches, commercial director of the discipline, justified the decision by saying that the custom is “not more in line with current social norms ».



Leader of sport for decades before being ousted at the start of last year, Bernie Ecclestone made his comment. And the former big financier of F1 is not kind to the new owners.



« We're going a bit prude right now, confides the octogenarian in comments reported by the British tabloid The Sun. The presence of grid girls should be allowed because the drivers appreciate them, the fans appreciate them, and they don't bother anyone. These girls were part of the show and the event.



I don't really see how the presence of a beautiful girl alongside a pilot or with a sign and her number in front of a car can harm anyone.



They are very well dressed and I find it hard to believe that partners like Rolex and Heineken don't choose decent looking people. I thought we were done with this idea that women couldn't do men's jobs and vice versa. I thought we were all the same. »



Before his ouster, Ecclestone had tested the concept of grid boys, such as at the 2015 Monaco and Brazilian Grands Prix.