The back and forth between the CEO’s of both Formula 1 and Formula E in recent weeks has continued with F1 boss Chase Carey labelling the all-electric series as a “street party”.
Recently the founder of Formula E, Alejandro Agag claimed his championship would be the only major manufacturer category in two decades time due to its relevancy with the current car industry with the likes of F1 becoming mere “entertainment” comparable with horse racing.
Agag has taken other shots suggesting Liberty Media are copying Formula E’s ideas but, on Friday, Carey responded making it clear F1 was still the premier series in motorsport.
“I’m glad he has a crystal ball,” he jibed, speaking to Germany’s Sport Bild.
“Formula E is not our competitor. It represents something that matters to all of us – the environment – but I see it as more of a street party than a sports event,” he added.
“People who’ve been there say they had fun but F1 is watched worldwide and we now have the opportunity to take it to a new level.
As for the claim of copying ideas, with more street events something Liberty are keen to introduce, the American added: “I believe other series can help us because they create interest, but the top series is and remains F1.”
Another topic that has rumbled through motorsport in recent weeks, was the news F1 will no longer use grid girls from 2018, replacing them with ‘Grid Kids‘ in a new program revealed this week.
The Formula E boss mocked F1 again welcoming the sport “to the 21st century” yet now, following a backlash, Agag has revealed his series will continue to use grid girls at certain events.
“For me, it’s not the most relevant issue today,” he told Motorsport.com. “It should be a non-issue. Sometimes we use kids, sometimes we should use grid girls.
“They haven’t done anything bad, it’s part of the visual tradition of motorsport. I am not an enemy of the concept of grid girls at all.
“Formula E will have grid girls. Maybe not in every race, but I think they are part of the tradition of motorsport.”
F1 CEO Carey has also made it clear “pretty girls” will continue to be at Grands Prix too and that the “glamour” shall remain.