
Grid girls have taken to social media following Formula One's decision to drop them.
On Wednesday the racing body announced that they are ending the long-standing practice of using walk-on grid girls beginning in the 2018 Championship.
In the past, they have been used to add a touch of 'glamour' to the sport. They hold time boards and flags, as well as umbrellas to shield the racers from the sun pre-race.
With Formula 1 and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) saying they will no longer use 'grid girls' or 'walk-on-girls', there has been divided opinions on social media.
English grid girl Rachel Patterson commented on Facebook: "Once a grid girl always a grid girl.
"We come in many shapes and sizes but we are just girls doing a job we absolutely love.
"I have met so many wonderful girls throughout my years and I wish you all the best. Keep rocking those stilettos, dresses and grid boards."
Defending the use of grid girls, Lauren-Jade said: "Get me on ITV This Morning so I can defend us grid girls.
"Because of these feminists, they've cost us our jobs!
"I have been a grid girl for eight years and I have never felt uncomfortable! I love my job, if I didn't I wouldn't do it!"
She added: "No one forces us to do this. This is our choice!"
Get me on @thismorning so I can defend us #gridgirls
— Lauren-Jade (@laurenjadepope) January 31, 2018
Because of these feminists, they’ve have cost us our jobs! I have been a grid girl for 8 years and I have Never felt uncomfortable! I love my job, if I didn’t I wouldn’t do it! Noone forces us to do this! This is our choice! pic.twitter.com/PUWcyB5BeG
Although not everyone agreed with their views.
Women's Sport Trust thanked Formula 1 for their decision.
They posted: "Thank you Formula One for deciding to stop using grid girls.
"Another sport making a clear choice about what they want to stand for."
The National sports charity ended their tweet by quoting Formula Ones reason for their decision: "We feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms."
Thank you @F1 for deciding to stop using grid girls. Another sport making a clear choice about what they want to stand for:
— Women's Sport Trust (@WomenSportTrust) January 31, 2018
“We feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms.” https://t.co/Rrwxf5VcjY
International North West 200 Race Director, Mervyn Whyte told BBC that the use of grid girls for this years North Coast race meeting will be reviewed.