Chase Carey has revealed he was not opposed to the concept of F1 ’grid girls’.
The sport’s new owner Liberty Media has been widely criticised for ending the decades-long tradition.
"I think the reaction was what we expected," F1 chief executive Carey told multiple media outlets.
"Actually if you just left it up to me personally, I like the grid girls," he said. "But it’s not a decision for me, it’s a decision for fans."
And he said too many of those fans thought the grid girls concept was "exploitative".
Some, however, think the move has taken a big bite out of F1’s glamorous side.
Carey insisted: "We’re going to maintain glamour. We’re going to continue to have pretty girls at races. But I think you have to continue to evolve."