The sexual objectification of women in sport is at the forefront of news again with the debate continuing over the issue. “It is wrong to objectify women in sport” says boxer and anti-sexism campaigner Stacey Copeland, after world champion Lewis Hamilton welcomed the return of “beautiful” women to the F1 grid.
Models for watchmaker Tag Heuer will feature before Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix – though not in ‘grid girl’ roles.
Copeland told BBC Sport: “It doesn’t add anything and enough is enough.
“It’s not about ugly versus beautiful, it’s saying the sexual objectification of women in sport is not OK.”
Formula 1’s owner Liberty Media stopped the use of ‘grid girls’ in January, saying their use was “at odds with modern day societal norms”. There was much discussion over whether this was the right decision or not, with some ‘Grid Girls’ losing out on lucrative contracts. So called ‘Grid Girls’ have long been a feature of the Formula 1 season.
Monaco Grand Prix: Campaigner wants end to 'sexual objectification' of women in sport: Boxer Stacey Copeland says it is wrong to objectify women after Lewis Hamilton hailed the return of "beautiful" women to the F1 grid. https://t.co/e9AtKOQcRY pic.twitter.com/m8Oz0om0Mb
— BBC F1 news feed (@bbcf1feed) May 25, 2018
A very warm welcome back to the @F1 Grid Girls at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix #youvebeenmissed #f1 pic.twitter.com/v0s96ENvOc
— Tim Williams (@Sporturo) May 24, 2018