London: Formula One is ending the use of female models who parade on the starting grid and stand with the drivers' name boards before every grand prix.
The decision was announced in a statement on Wednesday with the change, which also applies to all support races, coming into effect from the start of the season in Australia on March 25.
"While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula One 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," said commercial manager Sean Bratches.
"We don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula One and its fans, old and new, across the world," he added.
The move became a major talking point among fans on social media and was welcomed by Britain's Women's Sport Trust, who said in a tweet: "Thank you