Formula E has aim🗹ed a dig at Formula 1 over its decision to scrap grid girls for the 2018 season - despite having engaged iℱn the practice more recently than its counterpart.

F1 announced earlier this week it would no longer be us🌟ing 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 week.

Formula E issued a statement following F1’s announcement in which it explained its own♏ usage of ‘grid kids’, giving aspiring racers the chance to get closer to thei▨r heroes.

“We’re glad to welcome F1 to the 21st century. Formula E stopped using grid girls last year already, bu൲t 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 t𝕴hat race in junior go-kart championships.

“It’s a great and emotional experience for these kids t🌌o be on the starting grid, next to the drivers a🍎nd 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 Formulaꦬ E CEO Alejandro Agag to say they would remain for all future races.

However, in response to the statement,ꦓ mahbx.com enqu🐼ired about Formula 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 e☂nsured that the usage of grid girls in Hong ဣKong was “specifically requested” by the local promoter, adding: “This won’t be the case in the future.”

The next Formula E race takes p൩lace today (February 3) in Santiago, Chi✤le.