F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Glitzy and glamorous Monaco goes against grid girl ban!

The girls will return to the grid in Monaco next month following an agreement between the Automobile Club of Monaco and Liberty Media.

This year, Formula 1 decided to no longer employ grid girls - a staple of Grand Prix for decades - feeling the practice no longer resonates with the sport's brand values, and is at odds with modern day societal norms.

In Australia, the female presence was replaced with grid kids, with young boys and girls expected to remain present at this year's rounds of the world championship.

Prince Albert hints at potential layout changes at Monaco

The glitzy and glamorous Monaco Grand Prix will be the exception to the rule however, although the local ACM has accepted that the grid girls will not hold any driver name-boards.

"The relationship is good with Liberty Media, because they understand that Monao is not Spa or Monza," ACM president Michel Boeri told Monaco-Matin.

"We've had no problems with Liberty Media, except for the grid girl issue. They'll be there, on the gird, but won't be holding any name-boards.

"They're pretty and the cameras will be on them once again."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.