Hamilton backs return of ‘grid girls’

Formula 1 Champion Lewis Hamilton has applauded the return of grid girls for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

His comments come after Monaco organisers decided to go against F1 owner Liberty Media’s decision to stop the use of models on the F1 track.

Liberty banned grid girls in January, saying their use was “at odds with modern day societal norms”.

Monaco last month said it disagreed with Liberty’s ban.

This weekend’s race will feature models for Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer on the grid at Monaco, although they will not perform the traditional roles.

“Women are the most beautiful thing in the world,” said Hamilton.

“摩纳哥是一个非常优雅的grand prix and when we pull up to the grid and there’s beautiful women on the grid, that’s the Monaco Grand Prix and that’s a lovely thing.”

The models will be there to represent the watch company and take pictures of the drivers for use on social media, and will not be holding driver numbers. Male models will also feature.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel agreed with Hamilton.

“I like women. I think they look beautiful. The bottom line is that there is too much of a fuss nowadays,” said Vettel.

“All the women that took part as a grid girl in the past did it because they want to. I’m sure if you ask any grid girl on Sunday if they’re happy to stand there, their answer will be yes.

“I don’t think there’s anybody that forces them to do it.”