The grid girl ban will also apply to the support events at each F1 event – which will include the second round of the Australian Supercars Championship at Albert Park during the F1 season-opening Australian Grand Prix weekend in March.

In a statement announcing the change, F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches said the practice of using grid girls was not in accord with the planned image revamp for F1.

"Over the last year we have looked at a number of areas which we felt needed updating so as to be more in tune with our vision for this great sport,” he said.

"While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula 1 grands prix for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms.

"We don't believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world."