Former grid girl Leilani Dowding has used a throwback photo to criticise Formula 1's decision to remove grid girls, calling the move "woke s***" and saying it stopped models from earning money.
Dowding, a former Miss Great Britain who rose to fame in the 90s and starred on reality TV shows in the early 21st century, posed on the grid at the 2001 British Grand Prix. Reflecting on the removal of the race day tradition, she shared an image of herself from that event.
F1's decision to ban grid girls
F1 stopped using grid girls at the start of the 2018 season. At the time, critics called the practice outdated, and managing director of commercial operations Sean Bratches spoke about moving with the times.
"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," Bratches said. "We don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world."
Dowding's response
Dowding has been consistent in arguing against that position. Reposting an image of herself at that 2001 British Grand Prix, she wrote: "Wow. How was this 25 years ago! Doing the grids for Hot Wheels before this woke s*** came about and they stopped it all! They stopped us making money this way."
She has also claimed the removal of grid girls is a double standard. One of her targets was Sam Smith's 2023 music video for 'I'm Not Here To Make Friends', where the singer appears in a corset and suspenders with nipple tassels.
"I remember all those angry women who are sure to ban grid girls and podium girls," Dowding said. "Where are their voices now when kids can watch graphic hardcore or a touch of a button, and pop stars wriggle around in simulated golden showers."
She juxtaposed a photo of herself on the grid with one of Smith with the video and also responded to a fan who shared her concerns. "Degrading. It was fun and amazing money, and something so many girls wanted to do. They attacked beauty and women's form," she added.
Other former grid girls speak out
Dowding, 46, who was romantically linked with footballers Mark Williams and Jeremie Aliadiere, isn't the only former grid girl to take this stance. Kelly Brook, who appeared at the 1998 British Grand Prix aged just 20, made her own argument in 2018.
"It's a well-paid job. It's one of the best jobs I ever had," Brook said. "You dress glamorously and obviously it's about being presentable but I never felt I was taken advantage of."
