F1 to no longer feature "grid girls"

[NeoOasis]

They’re still employed, they have other clients. They just don’t have this one. This is also a non-issue.

Meh. Perhaps I should have said "underemployed". But no matter.

They can probably find other gigs to fill in this space. It's not like they have sail along with the contracts they have till retirement. Any underemployment after a point is their own fault and/or their agency's.

I'm still trying to work out what purpose these women serve in the race itself other than having more adverts plastered on them. If we're gonna play the employment card... why not have grid guys serve alongside the grid gals? After all male models also need employment opprotunities.

[Salandriagado]

F1 is not a charity, it’s not supporting hard luck women as an act of altruism. It’s a billion dollar organization built almost entirely on reputation. This exaggerated cry about those poor (fairly well off even without this gig) women was never an issue, it was F1s image. You cats are the only ones trying to grab the virtue bouy to save your inflated concerns about a thing you were barely aware of going away.

And goddam is it not entertaining to watch your stretch Armstrong antics to justify it. Including stepping in your own turds.

Was it, like, cutting into their bottom line or something? I don't get it. Besides a handful of virtue Signallers who got their skivvies in a twist about it I don't see much issue.

Yes, it was cutting into their bottom line. In particular: I imagine those women drew precisely zero extra dollars of income, while costing the organisation their wages and salary.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Meh. Perhaps I should have said "underemployed". But no matter.

They can probably find other gigs to fill in this space. It's not like they have sail along with the contracts they have till retirement. Any underemployment after a point is their own fault and/or their agency's.

I'm still trying to work out what purpose these women serve in the race itself other than having more adverts plastered on them. If we're gonna play the employment card... why not have grid guys serve alongside the grid gals? After all male models also need employment opprotunities.

I have absolutely no problem with this and it would have been a reasonable thing for the feminists to recommend.
They chose not to.

[Salandriagado]

They’re still employed, they have other clients. They just don’t have this one. This is also a non-issue.

Meh. Perhaps I should have said "underemployed". But no matter.

17 days a year less work (assuming they even did all of them) is not in any way significant.

[Webus]

seems like a non issue

Apart from the now unemployed grid girls, I doubt it is a "non issue" for them...

if you are worried about unemployment there are a few bigger sources of that

[Ethel mermania]

I would much rather see the grid girls than the drivers.

[Cannot think of a name]

They can probably find other gigs to fill in this space. It's not like they have sail along with the contracts they have till retirement. Any underemployment after a point is their own fault and/or their agency's.

I'm still trying to work out what purpose these women serve in the race itself other than having more adverts plastered on them. If we're gonna play the employment card... why not have grid guys serve alongside the grid gals? After all male models also need employment opprotunities.

I have absolutely no problem with this and it would have been a reasonable thing for the feminists to recommend.
They chose not to.

Mostly because it had nothing to do with a random roving band of mean ol’ feminists and instead was a decision made by the board.

[Cannot think of a name]

I would much rather see the grid girls than the drivers.

There’s a whole industry for that and it’s cheaper than an F1 pit pass.

[NeoOasis]

I would much rather see the grid girls than the drivers.

Formula E might be more to your liking in that case.

[Ethel mermania]

I would much rather see the grid girls than the drivers.

There’s a whole industry for that and it’s cheaper than an F1 pit pass.

I wouldn't know, I never had a f1 pit pass.

[Ethel mermania]

I would much rather see the grid girls than the drivers.

Formula E might be more to your liking in that case.

I doubt it, tbh, I really do like the sound of a gasoline engine.

[Fartsniffage]

Meh. Perhaps I should have said "underemployed". But no matter.

17 days a year less work (assuming they even did all of them) is not in any way significant.

I'm curious where this 17 days thing came from. There were 20 race meets last years, each at least 3 days long.

[Salandriagado]

17 days a year less work (assuming they even did all of them) is not in any way significant.

I'm curious where this 17 days thing came from. There were 20 race meets last years, each at least 3 days long.

20 days a year, then: they only appear on the grid, which only happens on one day for each event.

[Fartsniffage]

I'm curious where this 17 days thing came from. There were 20 race meets last years, each at least 3 days long.

20 days a year, then: they only appear on the grid, which only happens on one day for each event.

They really don't just appear on the grid. They are involved in various commercial appearances throughout the event.

[Salandriagado]

20 days a year, then: they only appear on the grid, which only happens on one day for each event.

They really don't just appear on the grid. They are involved in various commercial appearances throughout the event.

Really? I've never noticed them. Which rather tells you how effective they were, doesn't it?

[Fartsniffage]

They really don't just appear on the grid. They are involved in various commercial appearances throughout the event.

Really? I've never noticed them. Which rather tells you how effective they were, doesn't it?

You've been at the super rich parties and events that go on around F1 meets?

[Cannot think of a name]

17 days a year less work (assuming they even did all of them) is not in any way significant.

I'm curious where this 17 days thing came from. There were 20 race meets last years, each at least 3 days long.

Me. Because I was the only one even remotely a fan of the sport in the thread but couldn’t remember the number of races because it does change and I didn’t feel like looking it up. Plus there’s a great line in the movie Grand Prix about there only being seventeen people capable of racing competitively or something like that so when I have to toss a number at F1 when it doesn’t really matter it’s 17. And there is usually a handful at the trophy ceremony and any official happening one or two stands around...after a while you just check to see how hard it is to maintain a fake smile as you’ve lost any concept of why they’re there.

[Fartsniffage]

I'm curious where this 17 days thing came from. There were 20 race meets last years, each at least 3 days long.

Me. Because I was the only one even remotely a fan of the sport in the thread but couldn’t remember the number of races because it does change and I didn’t feel like looking it up. Plus there’s a great line in the movie Grand Prix about there only being seventeen people capable of racing competitively or something like that so when I have to toss a number at F1 when it doesn’t really matter it’s 17. And there is usually a handful at the trophy ceremony and any official happening one or two stands around...after a while you just check to see how hard it is to maintain a fake smile as you’ve lost any concept of why they’re there.

Well the number you were really looking for is 3 days. Each country has their own grid girls but they're involved for at least the 3 days of the meet. Usually a few more.

[Jadefall]

They really don't just appear on the grid. They are involved in various commercial appearances throughout the event.

Really? I've never noticed them. Which rather tells you how effective they were, doesn't it?

I'm not sure how you can make a value judgement without knowing what their role is. They perform a PR function, are very much a valued part of the team, and are often passionate about the sport.

In many ways the women already working for the teams have distinct advantages and are able to use contacts to pursue careers in motorsport from driving to other team and industry roles. It's sad to see that disappear as an avenue to women, especially women who started the job because they had some modelling experience only to discover a talent or passion for motorsport and international travel. At least they'll be saved from the oppression of all expenses paid trips to Monaco.

On a personal note, I hope to see more women in the sport, as F1 cars become easier to drive, any physical male strength advantage diminishes in importance. Female F1 drivers also have the advantage of being lighter than male counterparts. In cars as light as F1 GP cars, driver weight is a significant percentage of overall weight, so lighter drivers are a great asset. I think women will have greater opportunity to participate, and they will do well. You would struggle to find an F1 fan who doesn't agree that Susie Wolff is a great ambassador for the sport and a skilled driver in her own right.

[Cannot think of a name]

Me. Because I was the only one even remotely a fan of the sport in the thread but couldn’t remember the number of races because it does change and I didn’t feel like looking it up. Plus there’s a great line in the movie Grand Prix about there only being seventeen people capable of racing competitively or something like that so when I have to toss a number at F1 when it doesn’t really matter it’s 17. And there is usually a handful at the trophy ceremony and any official happening one or two stands around...after a while you just check to see how hard it is to maintain a fake smile as you’ve lost any concept of why they’re there.

Well the number you were really looking for is 3 days. Each country has their own grid girls but they're involved for at least the 3 days of the meet. Usually a few more.

I was trying to be generous.

[Cekoviu]

Eh, the idea itself was sexist, but I think women should be allowed to do that if they want to. Not letting them is actually hurting women's rights and bodily autonomy more than allowing them to. Of course, if no women want to be grid girls, then it's okay to remove them from F1, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

[Fartsniffage]

Well the number you were really looking for is 3 days. Each country has their own grid girls but they're involved for at least the 3 days of the meet. Usually a few more.

I was trying to be generous.

Back in 2013 the girls picked up by RTOA would get a 12 month contract with a salary for the F1 meet. The whole thing is relative.

[Salandriagado]

Really? I've never noticed them. Which rather tells you how effective they were, doesn't it?

You've been at the super rich parties and events that go on around F1 meets?

The supposed purpose that people have been claiming for them is drawing in a bigger TV audience.

[Ethel mermania]

You've been at the super rich parties and events that go on around F1 meets?

The supposed purpose that people have been claiming for them is drawing in a bigger TV audience.

In the sense that they promote the event, chat up the sponsors and advertisers. But no one watches F1 to see the girls, they are just a pleasant addition.

[Salandriagado]

The supposed purpose that people have been claiming for them is drawing in a bigger TV audience.

In the sense that they promote the event, chat up the sponsors and advertisers. But no one watches F1 to see the girls, they are just a pleasant addition.

That people do watch F1 to see the girls is the specific, explicit claim that I am arguing with here.