Formula 1 chief executive Chase Carey has said “pretty girls” will still be part of the sport despite the recent decision to stop using grid girls.

The FIA and Formula 1 have announced a joint initiative to replace grid girls with grid kids, who will be lining up alongside the cars and the drivers at every grand prix weekend this upcoming season.

The decision was met by a very mixed reaction, with some hailing the removal of an outdated tradition and others stating that Liberty were fixing another thing that was not broken.

Carey’s comments will no doubt raise eyebrows, though, as he reassured those who bemoaned the decision that “pretty girls” will still be part of the sport.