Formula 1, together with FIA has announced that the pre-race ceremony will now feature Grid Kids alongside the drivers. This comes after the announcement of the motorsport’s discontinuation of Grid Girls for the 2018 F1 season.
The joint initiative will involve the local Grand Prix promoter working alongside the National Sporting Authority (ASN) to provide a unique experience for the youngsters and their families to immerse themselves in the whole race weekend. These lucky youngsters will be chosen by their motorsport clubs and are already be competing in karting or junior formulae.
Similar to the tradition with football, the selected youngsters will accompany and stand alongside the 20 drivers on the grid as they prepare for the race. They will be accompanied by an immediate family who will also have paddock access for the race weekend.
F1 Managing Director of Commercial Operations, Sean Bratches said: “This will be an extraordinary moment for these youngsters. Imagine, standing beside their heroes, watch as they prepare to race, the elite of the elite in motorsport, to be there, alongside them in those precious few minutes just before the start.”
“What an unforgettable experience; for them, and their families. An inspiration to keep driving, training and learning so that they can dream of one day being there themselves. What better way to inspire the next generation of Formula 1 heroes.” Bratches added.
FIA President Jean Todt said: “Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsports and the dream of every young racer competing for the junior series that make up the FIA’s single-seater pyramid, from karting all the way to F1. We are therefore delighted to bring that dream a little closer by giving the future champions of our sport the opportunity to stand alongside their heroes on the grid in the build-up to the race start.”
