As a representative of female racers in motor racing, Susie Wolff has weighed in on the F1 grid girl ban. Views on the decision taken by F1 and its owners have divided opinions throughout the motor racing world. However, Susie admitted that the use of ‘grid girls’ wasn’t offensive to her. She also said that she didn’t see it as an urgent priority to change to allow the sport to evolve.
When F1 made the decision, the owners release a statement saying that it is not what they want to see as an image representing the sport. So they want to portray the sport in a similar light. The presence of grid girls was traditional within the sport. At most race meetings these girls are well dressed and represent top luxury brands and sponsors. Wolff cited the Austrian Grand Prix as an example where the girls wore traditional attire. To most girls, it was an honour to be selected as a ‘grid girl’ for an F1 Grand Prix.
via Imago
Former Williams test driver Susie Wolff
Wolff spoke of her time in German Touring Cars for Mercedes-Benz. She mentioned conversing with a ‘grid girl’ who was a medical student. The girl found it fascinating to be so close to the racing car and on the grid just before the race start. Wolff also said that the F1 owners obviously took a stand regarding the grid girl ban. She said, “This is not going to change overnight the lack of female representation in motorsport but could it be a step in the right direction? I believe so.”
Wolff set up the Dare To Be Different organisation to promote female talent in motor racing. The goal was to take the successful women in the sport and make them role models for the younger generation of females.
“From my personal experience they are a lot more open to the fact that women are capable of achieving the same things as men in a competitive and performance-based environment. I am watching with curiosity and hope. Grid girls are gone, like it or not, but more importantly – what’s next on the agenda?” said Wolff.
