The boss of the Monaco Grand Prix is planning to reverse Formula One’s recent modernisation of some traditions by retaining ‘grid girls’ at the glamorous Mediterranean race weekend in May. The sport announced it was replacing ‘gird girls’ with ‘grid kids’ before the start of the 2018 season in a move that was well received despite misgivings from older traditionalists.
The new ‘grid kids’ who accompanied the F1 drivers on the grid were karting and junior racing drivers at last month’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. But the chief organiser of this year’s Monaco race to take place on May 27 has insisted on retaining the grid girls. President of the Automobile Club de Monaco Michel Boeri told Monaco Matin newspaper that he had a good relationship with F1’s new American owners Liberty Media. “They understand that Monaco is not Spa, or Monza,” he said.
“We’ve had no problems with Liberty Media. Except for the grid girls issue. They’ll be there on the grid, but they won’t be holding any name-boards. They’re pretty — and the cameras will be on them once again.”
Russian news agency Interfax has reported that the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi in September may also feature the use of grid girls. It reported that deputy prime minister Dmitry Kozak supported the tradition, adding that it will continue ‘if we can reach and agreement....Moreover, our girls are the most beautiful.” 

Ferrari opt out of F1’s eSports series
 Ferrari demonstrated their total focus on success in Formula One this week when they opted out of joining in the sport’s virtual eSports series for a second year. A spokesperson for F1 said talks with the Italian outfit were ongoing and that Ferrari wanted to be involved, but a spokesman for the scuderia said they needed “more time to evaluate everything”.
Qualifiers for the series, which has been updated following its inaugural competition last year, begin on April 13. Last year’s launch season, won by Briton Brendon Leigh, was considered a success by F1’s new American owners Liberty Media, who identified esports as an opportunity to attract a younger generation to F1.
On the track Ferrari made a positive start to the new F1 season with Sebastian Vettel taking the opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes’s world champion Lewis Hamilton.