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Red Bull Intern Champions Conclude 2-Month UK Internship with an Exclusive Interview with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez

Former Sportplus.sg journalist Charis Chua and Heng Yi-Hsin conclude their dream roles at Oracle Red Bull Racing with once-in-a-lifetime experiences

PHOTO: HENG YI-HSIN, RED BULL

OCTOBER 3, 2024, SINGAPORERed Bull Intern Championship winners, Charis Chua, also a former journalist at Sportplus.sg, and Heng Yi-Hsin, have experienced the ultimate career springboard as they embarked on an extraordinary 2-month internship with Oracle Red Bull Racing at their Milton Keynes headquarters in the United Kingdom. Now, they are back in Singapore to work on the Singapore Grand Prix.


The exclusive internship opportunity earned the two Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hone their skills with one of the leading Formula 1 teams. This experience culminates in an unforgettable meeting with F1 stars, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.


In the Heart of Motorsport: The Exclusive Milton Keynes Experience


Charis Chua and Heng Yi-Hsin earned the coveted Hospitality and Red Bull Relations internships, respectively, by winning the Red Bull Intern Championship in May. The contest, facilitated by official Red Bull distributor in Singapore Pokka Pte. Ltd, challenged participants to provide creative and effective solutions to challenges posed by Red Bull. Charis and Yi-Hsin were selected for their creative short videos and comprehensive case studies, besting over 1,500 aspiring students for the internship.


During their internship at Milton Keynes, the interns were immersed in the high-energy environment of Formula 1 racing. Working alongside seasoned professionals, they gained invaluable technical and operational insights that would have been almost impossible to learn in the classroom. 


PHOTO: CHARIS CHUA AND HENG YI-HSIN, RED BULL

Charis worked on tasks dealing with trackside and factory-based hospitality. Reflecting on this experience, Charis said, “It was an amazing experience getting to realize my dreams of working in Formula 1. The fast-paced environment was so invigorating and I learned so much from my colleagues!”


Yi-Hsin, who worked as a Red Bull Relations intern, echoed this sentiment. She said, “The scale at which Oracle Red Bull Racing operates is simply mind-blowing. Working alongside this group of dynamic, motivated and creative individuals while being immersed in the world of Formula 1 has been one of the coolest experiences of my life!” 


Red Bull Intern Champions Meet F1 Stars at the Singapore GP


The pinnacle of Charis and Yi-Hsin’s internship experience is the opportunity to work with the Oracle Red Bull Racing team at home, in Singapore, for the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. At the Singapore GP, Charis and Yi Hsin had the rare chance to meet and be interviewed by Oracle Red Bull Racing’s star drivers, Max Verstappen and Checo Perez. 



Yi-Hsin described the interaction as a “surreal moment.” She added, “We get glimpses of the drivers in the factory but we never really get to speak to them 1-on-1, so this opportunity felt really special.”


“It was such a fun experience interviewing Max and Checo! They were so personable and funny, it felt like we were chatting to friends.” remarked Charis of the interaction with the lead drivers.


Return to Their Roots and What Lies Ahead for the Interns


Despite the incredible experiences with the Oracle Red Bull Racing team at Milton Keynes, the interns could not help but miss some comforts from Singapore during their time away. Charis mentioned missing local Singaporean cuisine, while Yi-Hsin reflected on the warmth of her family gatherings back home. Now back in Singapore, both interns hit the ground running with preparations for the Singapore GP.


The incredible internship opportunity with Oracle Red Bull Racing solidified Charis’ and Yi-Hsin’s skills and broadened the horizons for their future career aspirations. As the two talented young Singaporeans bring their internship journey to a close, they look toward the future, carrying with them the skills and lessons learned as well as the connections they made at Oracle Red Bull Racing. The two intern champions have proven that with hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities, anything is possible.


Keep an eye out for more “gives you wiiings” moments and stay updated on the world of Red Bull. Stay connected by tuning into Red Bull’s social media pages (TikTok | Instagram) and website, and Oracle Red Bull Racing’s official TikTok and Instagram accounts.


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