Lewis Hamilton has backed the return of 'grid girls' after Monaco and Russia officials indicated they plan to defy Formula One's decision to replace them with 'grid kids'.

The defending world champion shared a screenshot showing news of the potential U-turn, adding the message: "Thank you Jesus."

Image: Hamilton posted a screen image of an Instagram user's picture which he later deleted

The British driver has since deleted the post, which showed five women wearing skintight jumpsuits with low necklines.

It comes as the head of the Monaco race insisted 'grid girls' will be retained for the glamorous Mediterranean event on 27 May despite F1's new US owners Liberty Media axing them.

President of the Automobile Club de Monaco Michel Boeri told the Monaco Matin newspaper he had a good relationship with the owners.


Image: 'Grid girls' showed the name and number of each driver

He said: "They understand that Monaco is not Spa, or Monza. We've had no problems with Liberty Media. Except for the grid girls issue.

"They'll be there on the grid, but they won't be holding any name-boards. They're pretty - and the cameras will be on them once again."

Monaco's move comes as Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Kozak said he wants to bring the models back for the Sochi GP in September.

Mr Kozak, who is on the Russian grand prix organising committee, was quoted as saying: "Here it should be adults.

Image: The use of grid girls have been seen by many as outdated and sexist

"In all forms of motor sport there are girls advertising cars harmoniously and pleasantly.

"If we manage to reach agreement we plan to reinstate this tradition. After all, our girls are the most beautiful."

Grid girls, who hold a sign showing the name of the driver and their number at the start, were scrapped before this season began as their use was seen as outdated and sexist.

At the first race of the new campaign in Melbourne last month, the new grid kids who accompanied the F1 drivers on the grid were karting and junior racing drivers.