Formula E has aimed a dig at Formula 1 over its decision to scrap grid girl🐟s for the 2018 season - despite having engaged in the practice more recently than its counterpart.

F1 announced earlier this week it would no longer be using grid girls from the opening race of the new season, acting as a major talking point both in motorsport and the wider sp♌orting world throughout the week.

Formula E issued a statement following F1’s announcement in which it explained ꦦits own usage of ‘grid k🐎ids’, giving aspiring racers the chance to get closer to their heroes.

“We’re glad to welcome F1 to the 21st century. Formula E stopped using grid girls last year already, but we just didn’t feel the need to shout about it,” a spokesperson from Fo♍rmula E said.

“We’re using a new concept and focusing on grid kids, and where possible we involve young and aspiring drivers that race in junior go-kart cham🐬pionships.

“I꧒t’s a great and ♛emotional experience for these kids to be on the starting grid, next to the drivers and cars that they might drive one day, so hopefully it also works as a good motivation for them. The concept is working really well.”

The grid kid concept proved a hit at the Season 3 finale in Montreal, prompting Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag to say they would remain for a𝕴ll future races.

However, in response to the statement, ltxcn.top enquired about Formula🗹 E’s usage of grid girls at the Seasౠon 4 opening round in Hong Kong that took place at the beginning of December - one week after F1’s last race with grid girls in Abu Dhabi.

A Formula E spokesperson ensured that the usage of grid girls in Hong Kong was “specifical🍬ly requested” by the local promoter, adding: “This woﷺn’t be the case in the future.”

The next Formula E race takes pl𝕴ace today (🌠February 3) in Santiago, Chile.