One would hope.

Sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s in the sport’s best interests to hire them to do so. Do you think it is? If so, why?

2012 all over again, which killed the F1 expansion teams who joined on the promise of a cost cap that Ferrari threatened to quit over.

I also disagree that women have been banned from motor sport.

Bear in mind, there are two additional studies I linked showing similar results. If it is a ‘proven fact’, rather than just common practice that could be based on a misconception, then you should be able to find studies supporting your position. I’ll look for more studies supporting my view if you can produce one that…

PS, thanks for being willing to debate without things getting out of hand. It’s good to have online.

I’m curious which numbers you’re using for F1's demographics. The error bars seem pretty big: the F1 fan survey had only 6.5% female respondents (14k of 215k), while Aussie press reports about a 25% female fanbase. Certainly not as bad as it could be if it is that 25%, though.

I believe they need to go as part of fixing the root cause, because they play a role in perpetuating the core issue which is sexism. So I agree they’re not themselves the problem, the problem is that they’re still around as a holdover from the explicitly sexist roots of racing.

Again none of that suggests it is driving away talent as you claim.

You have nothing but anecdotes that goes against years of product sales.

I think it sets the wrong example for those following the sport. From “these are professionals promoting a product” to “these are objects of sexual gratification”.

There have been. I’d argue the issue is not that they’re models, but that they’re sexualized. That’s where it clearly crosses the line from “this is effective PR” to objectification.

I’ve not said anyone should lose their job. I’m suggesting that the structure of ‘product promotion’ models across the sport should change to no longer set a bad example or environment. Promotion doesn’t require a particular set of clothing (or gender, for that matter).

I admit, I hadn’t realized F1 had already started moving this direction. The series I generally follow (particularly IMSA) are still pure Lycra.

I’ll be honest, I’ve been ignoring F1. They’re certainly better than most series. Namely IMSA and NASCAR.

I disagree those studies are unrelated. Perhaps there’s a jump to make between “women are objectified” and “this hurts race attendance”, but I don’t think it’s very large.

These pit girls are. If this weren’t the exception to the rule, I’d agree.

I think the best place to start is recognizing that racing has significant baggage here. Baggage that a beach doesn’t have. As such, any solution shouldn’t be taken as generalized, it applies only to racing because racing has to upend a bigger history

I think it’s coming at it from the big picture. Is this one practice a significant driver, perpetuating, or a result of behaviors and perceptions that prevent women’s participation in the sport (whether working or spectating) as a whole? To put it another way, are a couple dozen modeling jobs discouraging a hundred…

Why is it stereotypical that girls that choose to model are looked down upon by the very women that should support them? It is a profession, they’re getting paid.