(MENAFN - Morocco World News) Grid Girls: Formula 1 Models Rabat – After the motorsport giant Formula 1 announced that it would abandon its longtime tradition of featuring female promotional models, or 'grid girls,' at its races, the models are slamming feminists for being the cause of their recent unemployment.

Claiming non-compliance with 'brand values,' Formula 1 Managing Director of Commercial Operations said last week, 'Over the last year we have looked at a number of areas which we felt needed updating so as to be more in tune with our vision for this great sport.'

'While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 Grands Prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern-day societal norms.'

'We don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world,' Bratches added.

The grid girls, cheerleaders, and podium girls have long been central to America's sports traditions. In Formula One races, grid girls are essentially models paraded around races, accompanying drivers to their cars, and sometimes holding umbrellas, while wearing clothing that bears the name of a sponsor,

However, these tasks have come under criticism as being 'outdated' and rooted in a tradition that turns women into sexualised objects intended for 'the male gaze.'

The ban sparked a backlash from now-former grid girls who slammed the decision, which is, according to them, an 'overreach of political correctness.'

Many expressed their passion for the Motorsport, lambasting feminists who dictate what they should or should not do. Others have expressed concerns of single-income financial difficulties as a result of the ban.

'Ridiculous that women who say they are 'fighting for women's rights' are saying what others should and shouldn't do, stopping us from doing a job we love and are proud to do. PC gone mad,' now-former grid girl Rebecca Cooper wrote on Twitter.

Get me on so I can defend us
Because of these feminists, they've have cost us our jobs! I have been a grid girl for 8 years and I have Never felt uncomfortable! I love my job, if I didn't I wouldn't do it! Noone forces us to do this! This is our choice!

— Lauren-Jade (@laurenjadepope)

women doing what they love for a job!other roles would require consultation before redundancy,why not us?

— Samantha Young (@Sammie_jay25)

Formula One's ban came only a few days after the Professional Darts Corporation announced the end of the long-established practice of women escorting male players to the stage, claiming that the tradition is 'at odds with modern-day societal norms.'

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