Grid girls add glamour to events dominated by men and machines. Usually, lovely ladies stand by the drivers before the start of the race and hold up large signs with the riders' names — this helps fans identify where the competition participants are situated. Grid girls also participate in award ceremonies and get involved in demonstration of promotional products, holding sun umbrellas over the drivers.
In different countries, grid girls are sometimes referred to as pit girls or race queens. Photo: Grid girls arrive for the pit lane walk ahead of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale circuit in Monza on September 3, 2017.
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© AP Photo / Mark Baker
Britain's Brawn Formula One driver Jenson Button walks down a line of grid girls for the drivers’ parade prior to the start of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on October 4, 2009.
The history of grid girls has its origins in Japan in the late1960s. Since then, it has become an official profession in Japan. Photo: Young women hold signs with drivers' names before a race during the German Touring Car Masters racing car series (DTM) held in Moscow region, Russia, on July 13, 2014.
Initially, the work of race queens was performed by the riders’ wives or girlfriends. Photo: Grid girls ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg on July 3, 2016.
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© AP Photo / Mark Baker
Grid girls wait to participate in the podium ceremony at the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 14, 2013.
Hostesses wait in the pits during the qualification for the Moto GP Grand Prix in Brno, Czech Republic, on August 15, 2009.
Being a grid girl in Japan is considered one of the most prestigious professions for a young lady. Photo: Grid girls pose for photos before the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma in California on September 17, 2016.
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© AP Photo / Daniel Maurer
There is even a special magazine published for those who work as grid girls in Japan. The publication offers the most relevant information on the best races, the best pit girls and the most outstanding fashion trends in this area. Photo: Grid girls during the drivers’ parade prior to the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix in Istanbul on May 11, 2008.
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© AP Photo / Miguel Angel Morenatti
A grid girl poses for the camera during Spain's Motorcycle Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera on April 24, 2016.
Grid girls line up ahead of the drivers' parade ahead of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco on May 28, 2017.
In the United States, these women are most often called the umbrella girls. There is also a strict dress code for the representatives of this profession. Photo: Pilots and umbrella girls pose on the grid before the start of the 38th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Moto on April 18, 2015 in Le Mans, France.
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© AP Photo / Luca Bruno
A grid girl looks into the camera during the drivers’ parade, prior to the start of the British Formula One Grand Prix in Silverstone, England, on July 10, 2016.
Grid girls pose at the Baku City Circuit ahead of the European Formula One Grand Prix in Azerbaijan on June 19, 2016.
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© AP Photo / Petr David Josek
A grid girl (center) tries to escape riders Daniel Pedrosa (left) and Alex de Angelis from San Marino as they start spraying champagne on the winner’s podium after the Czech Motorcycling Grand Prix Race in Brno, Czech Republic, on August 17, 2003.
A fun fact: DTM, the German touring car racing series has employed men to play the “grid girl” role! Photo: Grid girls in a paddock at the Russian stage of the Formula One World Championship on April 29, 2017.
Singapore Airlines flight attendants appearing as grid girls arrive ahead of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix night race on September 21, 2014.
In Russia, there is a considerable list of strict requirements for grid girls, and one of the most important is punctuality. Photo: A Ferrari team mechanic watches grid girls rehearse on the second day of the 2016 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix on April 30, 2016.
Grid girls pose before the MotoGP race of the Argentina Grand Prix in Santiago del Estero on April 9, 2017.
Grid girls get ready to go onto the circuit prior to the start of the Formula One Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam on October 16, 2011.
Grid girls walk in the pits of the Hockenheimring circuit on July 24, 2010, during the third free practice session of the Formula One German Grand Prix.
