Formula One boss says there will still be 'pretty girls at races' despite 'grid girl' ban

Formula One boss assures the sport will still have "pretty girls". Photo / Getty

Formula One's Chief Executive Chase Carey assured there would still be "pretty girls at races" under his leadership.

Formula One recently axed the appearance of 'grid girls' at races in attempts to project a new image that aligned better with "modern day societal norms".

The controversial decision sparked much debate among fans, many who believed the absence of 'grid girls' would take away from the atmosphere of Formula One.

But Carey told the Telegraph that the sport would still have "glamour and mystique," adding he personally would have kept the long-standing tradition.

Chase Carey said Formula One would still have "glamour and mystique". Photo / Getty

"Actually if you just left it up to me, personally, I like the grid girls. But it's not a decision for me, it's a decision for fans."

"I think what we found is that a number of people anecdotally raised the issue, and as I went around what I found was there was a meaningful segment that found it."

Carey said ultimately he had to take into account and respect the views of stakeholders and fans.

"I think the reaction [to the scrapping of grid girls] has been what we expected," he said.

"We've had some people who have been positive about it and others who were concerned. Unsurprisingly, many long-term fans view it as part of the sport they grew up with and I respect that."

Carey said the decision was based upon the large sector of fans and corporations who felt the practice was outdated and "didn't belong in sport today," although he acknowledged many 'grid girls' themselves were proud of their role in the sport.

Formula One boss Chase Carey said he personally "liked" the practice of 'grid girls'. Photo / Getty

"I'd say on those who were OK with it, I got a lot more 'I'm OK with it' rather than 'it's important to me'. So when you end up with this meaningful segment that felt it was outdated, that it had an exploitative element to it."

"The number that were passionately positive on the other side was much smaller."

Carey assured Formula One would still keep it's glamour as they endeavoured toward a new era, their major shareholder Liberty Interactive, was trying to forge.

"We're going to maintain glamour," he said.

Many 'grid girls' argued the controversial decision saying they were "proud" to be involved in the practice. Photo / Getty

"We're going to continue to have pretty girls at races. I think it's a part of life, and it's a part of what makes our sport special. It is a sport of glamour and of mystique."

"In today's world there are obviously different sensitivities to 10 to 12 years ago. I don't think you can just be stubborn."

"You do have to continue to evolve and respect people's views. If a meaningful number of people don't agree with something, I think you have to respect that. But we will continue to be a sport with glamour, with excitement - and with pretty girls."

In the interview, Carey told the Telegraph that he believed the sport had not delivered what it should have in recent years, but was confident Formula One would produce a "fresh energy and momentum" going forward.