Russia join Monaco and retain banned grid girls

Russian Grand Prix organisers have announced they will also keep the grid girls at their race.

This comes after yesterdays announcement that Monaco would continue with the grid girls tradition.

Formula 1 said in the winter break that the grid girls will be replaced by grid kids to reflect modern views and enable younger generations to get more involved.

But Dmitry Kozak, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister has gone against these plans.

"Our girls are the most beautiful," Kozak explained to Interfax.

"It’s wrong at races to lead out children, who are frightened of mechanical things you need grown-ups

"In all kinds of motorsport, girls advertise the cars and it looks harmonious and pretty.

"If we manage to reach agreement we plan to reinstate this tradition. After all, our girls are the most beautiful."