feature-image

Getty

feature-image

Getty

Back in 2018, a change of personnel in the paddock seemed to upset Sebastian Vettel. At a post-race conference, the German sat disappointed at the absence of the grid girls from the F1 paddock.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

When F1 drivers pull into their grid places ahead of a race, they had grid girls ready to greet them; they would hold the driver names and numbers on a placard. However, in Monaco, they were replaced with grid boys- clad in denim shorts and white shoes.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

Referring to the change in the typical setup, Vettel walked into the conference asking, “What was that?!”

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more: WATCH: Daniel Ricciardo Takes a Savage Dig at Himself as Brown & Norris Burst Into Laughter

ADVERTISEMENT

Later, the driver shared his dismay at the change. “F*ck, you get there and park behind George or Dave, what’s the point?” The Monaco GP promoters had announced the removal of grid girls. This followed after the endurance championship and Le Mans organizers announced the same for their races.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sebastian Vettel and the 2018 Monaco GP

Although Daniel Ricciardo’s redemption win at Monaco stole the show in 2018, Sebastian Vettel had an incredible race himself. Although the top three maintained their positions throughout the race, Vettel was unable to get past Ricciardo despite the Aussie being low on power.

As Ricciardo complained about a loss of power on lap 30 of 78, Vettel hoped to lift the victor’s trophy himself. However, a combination of things impeded the Ferrari driver. “I saw [Ricciardo’s] issue and I was also told by radio and that’s when I started to push. But as soon as I got too close, or closer, then I struggled to stay there and never got in range, especially at the exit of the tunnel.”

ADVERTISEMENT

However, Vettel believes the result would have been much worse for them as the pace in the Red Bull was unmatched. Max Verstappen had set a lap record with his Red Bull while Daniel Ricciardo managed to maintain his position despite being deprived of 6th and 7th gear.

ADVERTISEMENT

Regardless, looking back so much has changed for the German since then. Although grid girls are still missing from the paddock, surely Vettel has more to worry about.

Watch this story: Love Is in the Paddock: F1 Fraternity Rings in Valentine’s Day

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Shreya Sanjeev

795 Articles

Shreya Sanjeev is an F1 author at EssentiallySports. Having attained a journalism degree from St Xavier's College, she finds comfort in the sound of her keyboard while typing and excitement in the sound of F1 cars speeding on a track. A street circuit and Daniel Ricciardo fan through and through, Shreya claims the 2018 Monaco GP to be one of her favorite races of all time. When she's not watching F1 races, she can be found watching NBA matches and rooting for the Golden State Warriors.

Know more

ADVERTISEMENT