Formula E has aimed a dig at Fo💯rmula 1 over its decision to scrap grid girls for the 2018 season - despite having engaged in the prac💖tice more recently than its counterpart.

F1 ann༒ounced 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 sporting world throughout the we𝓰ek.

Formula E issued a statement following F1’s announcement 𓂃in which it explained its own usage of ‘grid kids’, giving aspiring racers the cha♓nce to get closer to their heroes.

“We’re glad 𓄧to welcome F1 to the 21st century. Form💟ula E stopped using grid girls last year already, but we just didn’t feel the need to shout about it,” a spokesperson from Formula 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 g♊o-kart championships.

“It’s a great and emotional experience for these kids to be on the starting grid, next to the dri✅vers and cars that they might drive one day, so hopefully it also works as a good motivation for them. The concept is working really wel❀l.”

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 all future races.

However, in response to the statement, mahbx.com enquired about Formulaꩲ E’s usage of grid girls at the Season 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 usa💛ge of grid girls in Hong Kong was “specifically requested” by the local promoter, adding: “This won’t be the case in ꧋the future.”

The next Formula E race takes place ꦺtoday (February 3) in San💮tiago, Chile.