| |
| |
![]() |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: Formula One has always been more than just a premium racing competition. It is the exciting combination of men, machines and girls that makes it a must-see event on the sporting calendar.
And with slightly more than a month to go before the F1 race drivers descend on the Marina Bay street circuit for the SingTel Formula 1 Grand Prix on September 25-27, things are starting to heat up on television show "SingTel Grid Girls on Tour" where the search is on to find the top grid girl, who will lead the pack on race day.
The winner will also have the honour to hoist the national flag in front of 600 million viewers across the globe during the night race.
The 21 contestants, selected from over 300 applicants, were unveiled on Friday afternoon at Post Bar at The Fullerton Hotel. And if first impressions do count, these ladies are likely to become a spectacle at the race track this September.
Viewers can vote for their favourite grid girls and the winner will be crowned in a live telecast of the pageant on September 21. However, Chief of Content & Media Services of SingTel, Edward Ying, says the contest is more than just a pageant.
"We are looking at someone to represent Singapore in front of 600 million people and our selection process is based on several criteria. These girls not only have to look good but they have to be elegant, smart, intelligent and possess a strong knowledge of Formula One," Ying told Channelnewsasia.com.
He added that the girls' personalities and attitudes are crucial in this competition and "The SingTel Grid Girls on Tour" host Soo Kui Jien believes the girls are on the right track to success.
"So far, I have been impressed by the girls' attitude. They have been very positive, eager to learn and have the right attitude," said Soo.
The girls hail from diverse backgrounds ranging from students to working professionals, and there's even a nurse. And Deborah Yeo, who works at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, isn't the least bit worried that patients will recognise her.
"That's not a problem as most of the time I will be putting on a mask and they will not be able to recognise me," said the 19 year-old.
And while Yeo is busy tending to her patients' needs, 20-year-old Hamizah Nasir has her hands full running after little children at the kindergarten.
"Ever since I heard of this competition, it has been my passion to become a grid girl and I love the challenge," said the kindergarten teacher who recently completed her Diploma in Early Childhood Studies at Temasek Polytechnic.
Unlike the previous season, this year's contestants are given the opportunity to travel to other F1 race revenues such as Cologne, Budapest, Istanbul and Silverstone.
"We wanted them to go and experience for themselves how others hold the race, enjoy the race, manage the race and to create the excitement back in Singapore so that Singaporeans can enjoy the race," said Ying, adding that the girls were also sent for courses to improve their catwalk and speech.
Each week, three grid girls are featured on "SingTel Grid Girls on Tour", and so far, 12 of the 21 girls have had the chance to visit an F1 race venue and meet with the drivers and fans.
"It was an amazing experience," said Hamizah who revealed she had butterflies in her stomach when she met Australian Red Bull driver Mark Webber in Germany.
Apart from the chance to be the 'flag bearer' at the Singapore Grand Prix, the winner of this year's SingTel Grid Girls competition also takes home a cash prize of S$20,000. But as far as these contestants are concerned, being a grid girl is an opportunity of a lifetime and they are all winners.
Said Cordelia Low, "I will be looking forward to tell my grandchildren in the future that 'Hey, grandma was a grid girl!'"
Catch "SingTel Grid Girls on Tour" on Thursdays at 9pm on Channel 5. The finals will be telecast 'live' on September 21 at 8pm. - CNA
Visit our Facebook page for more photos on the SingTel Grid Girls.
|
