AN F1 race is never complete without them.

No, I don't mean the drivers or the cars.

ST Photo: Kevin Leong

I'm talking about the grid girls. The glitz and the glamour. The eye candy among the machines. The yin to complement the yang in what is essentially a male-dominated sport.

On Monday, I met some of the 44 SingTel grid girls who are tasked with lighting up the track at the world's first night race. Nine of them dropped by at our SPH office, and I took the chance to interview half of them, which you can read about in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.

Judging from the number of office staff who stopped in their tracks to check out the girls during their photoshoot, it is clear that they are a draw.

ST Photo: Terence Tan

Whether grid girls are mere sex symbols is somewhat debatable. But few would question their effectiveness in sparking curiousity or attracting attention.

As Singapore gears up to host its first ever F1 Grand Prix, these girls will do their part to ensure that eyeballs are drawn to the street circuit. While Lewis Hamilton and Co will do their bit to ensure the attention remains fixated at the Marina Bay area.

One thing is for sure: motor racing fans can expect Singapore's very own grid girls to bare more than just their midriff. As one of the grid girls revealed, they will bring their personalities to the table, for they see themselves as heartlanders who are friendly and approachable.

Come raceday, keep a lookout.

Watch an audioslide show of Xinyi's interview with the grid girls here.