F1 would love to have a woman driver - Sir Jackie Stewart

Formula 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart has been discussing the controversy around the decision to remove Grid Girls from F1 races in 2018, stating his belief that if a woman driver could successfully compete in the sport, teams would be desperate to hire them.

The continued use of Grid Girls has been branded as sexist while others have suggested that their continued use discouraged other women from taking up motorsport.

Stewart, however, feels this opinion is deeply flawed and that there is a lack of interest from a generation of women in becoming involved in racing - adding that constructors would happily sign up a female driver is she was talented enough to win races.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Stewart said: "The idea that grid girls put off women drivers is baloney. If a racing team could find a female that’s going to get to the top in Formula 1, boy would they be paying attention.

“They’d be falling over ­themselves. Formula 1 would love to see a woman. If we had a women, the ­viewing numbers would go up.

"Commercially a female driver would be hugely successful with make-up, clothing, all the ­cosmetics and fashion brands. For whatever reason, young women are not going to karting tracks.

“That’s what all the boys do. Whether it’s Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian ­Vettel, these guys, from a young age, have been week after week at go-kart events.

“A girl so far has never done that and become a great driver. You have to keep in mind that from the hundreds of thousands of go-kart racers in the world there are only 20 grand prix ­drivers who make it into Formula 1.”

The 78-year-old also believes that the role of the Grid Girl has suitably evolved over time, and that their style is not meant to titillate, adding: "“The girls of this ­generation are not overly ­provocative. They are very well presented. They are properly dressed. It’s not as if they are all in bikinis or something.

"Because of the ­Weinstein thing, I think Formula 1 has taken preventative medicine.

“As time goes on, you might say, ‘Right, we’ll have 10 women and 10 men on the grid doing that same job’. I would say that it’s a very good balance. Some women’s rights organisations may feel it’s exploiting women to have them there when all they are doing is holding up a board telling which driver and car is there.

“But it is required. ­Somebody will have to replace the grid girls – probably men.”