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Grid Girls Won't Return To Formula 1 In 2018

@GeorgeJFox

Formula 1 is not bringing back grid girls in 2018 ending a decades-long tradition.

Also known as pit babes, paddock girls and umbrella girls are glamorously dressed and have been involved in the international auto racing league in a variety of roles.

They hold team numbers in the starting grid

F1 Grand Prix of USA
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 23: The grid girl for Romain Grosjean of France and Haas F1 on the grid before the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on October 23, 2016 in Austin, United States. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Holding umbrellas for the drivers as their car is worked on in the paddock

A grid girl holds an umbrella over a dri
SHANGHAI, CHINA: A grid girl holds an umbrella over a driver at the start of the China Circuit Championship as part of the official opening ceremony of the Shanghai International Circuit, 06 June 2004. The 240-million-USD race circuit will embrace China's frist ever Formula One Grand Prix on 26 September. AFP PHOTO/LIU Jin (Photo credit should read LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Awards presentations

Today in a statement Managing Director of Operations at Formula 1 Sean Bratches said, "Over the last year we have looked at a number of areas which we felt needed updating so as to be more in tune with our vision for this great sport."

Finnish rider Mika Kallio from Team Red
Finnish rider Mika Kallio from Team Red Bull KTM sprays champagne on a pit girl as he celebrates on the podium after winning the 250cc race at the China Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on May 4, 2008. Japanese teammate Hiroshi Aoyama was second and Italian rider Mattia Pasini on a Team Polaris World Aprilia was third. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

"While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 Grands Prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms."

The grid girls were often used in promotional tasks as their clothing often included sponsor logos.

MotoGP Of Malaysia - Free Practice
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 27: A grid girl walk in paddock during the MotoGP Of Malaysia - Free Practice at Sepang Circuit on October 27, 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-F1-ITA
Grid girls arrive for the pit lane walk ahead of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale circuit in Monza on September 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Brazil
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 12: Grid girls pose for a photo before the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 12, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Brazil
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 12: Brendon Hartley of Scuderia Toro Rosso and New Zealand grid girl during the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 12, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

Gallery - Grid Girls Of Auto Racing

Detroit was host to Formula 1 in the 1980's with a street course set up around the Renaissance Center and Cobo.

The first race of the season is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 25 March. Formula 1 has one race slated in the U.S. in 2018. Set in Austin, Texas -- the race takes place in October 19-21.

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