Formula 1 had sent fans into a tizzy last week after they announced to shun their long association with Grid Girls. Well now the pieces seem to come together as the Liberty Media owned company announced last Monday that the replacement will be in the form of Grid Kids. Wait.... Kids? On the Grid? Well to put your curiosities to rest, the kids will be present and function in the same way as the grid girls sans the glamour. Plans are to start the initiative during the upcoming Australian Grand Prix in March.
The change will also be in lieu with Liberty Media's vision of making F1 more family friendly and to generate more interest in people of all ages. Since it took over from the former head, Bernie Ecclestone, the U.S. company has been trying to revoke the image of F1 to appeal to a wider audience.
On the participation of the younger generation, Sean Bratches, F1 Managing Director of Commercial Operations said: "This will be an extraordinary moment for these youngsters: imagine, standing beside their heroes, watch as they prepare to race, the elite of the elite in motorsport, to be there, alongside them in those precious few minutes just before the start. What an unforgettable experience, for them, and their families. An inspiration to keep driving, training and learning so that they can dream of one day being there themselves. What better way to inspire the next generation of Formula 1 heroes."
The Grid Kids will be picked out by their motorsport clubs based on merit or by lottery. Also, the kids would already be indulged either in karting or junior formula races, so technically, many of them will be standing in front of their heroes.
The Grid girls might be out of a job and that sure is sad, but grid kids are certainly a great idea and we sure hope it helps to generate interest among the younger ones who are the future of motorsport.
