Two NTU students and friends Charis Chua and Heng Yi-Hsin beat thousands of applicants to the opportunity to work with some of the best in the F1 business
MAY 23, SINGAPORE – Two exceptional Singaporean talents, Heng Yi-Hsin and former SportPlus journalist Charis Chua, have emerged triumphant in the fiercely competitive Red Bull Intern Championship. The winners were notified via a special message on TikTok from three-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Their victory has earned the two friends an exclusive opportunity to embark on a two-month internship in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom with the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.
Charis, a student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, claimed victory in the Hospitality and Events Internship category. With her background in public relations, she has finely tuned her communication skills. Her dedication, creativity, and strategic acumen were evident in her comprehensive case study, which showcased her ability to effectively engage with audiences particularly customers. This not only set her apart but served as a cornerstone of her success in the competition.
“I was 15 years old when I first dreamt of working in Formula One,” says Charis. “The passion of everyone involved in the sport really drew me in and I made a promise to myself that I would put in the work to be part of it one day."
She adds, "When this Red Bull Intern Championship competition was announced, I knew this was the opportunity of a lifetime I had been waiting for, but winning it wouldn’t be easy. I think I was visibly shaking when I received the winners’ email. This internship is an invaluable experience I’m very grateful to have received, and I can't wait to embark on this journey with the Red Bull Racing team.”
Heng Yi-Hsin, who is also entering her final year at NTU, clinched the Red Bull Relations Internship. As an intern at The Straits Times, Yi-Hsin has honed her skills in photojournalism. She also previously served as a Marketing and Advocacy Intern, developing her management and content creation skills. Her passion, creativity, and wit showed through in her short video submission which gave her an added edge in the competition, particularly in her category.
Yi-Hsin shared her excitement, stating, “I stumbled upon F1 a few years ago and was immediately hooked. Back then, working in F1 felt like a pipe dream, so when the Red Bull Intern Championship was announced, I pulled out all the stops because I knew the competition would be tough. Knowing how passionate and competitive F1 and Red Bull Racing fans are, it feels incredibly surreal to be part of the Oracle Red Bull Racing team!”
The Red Bull Intern Championship, facilitated by Red Bull’s official distributor in Singapore, Pokka Pte. Ltd, was a rigorous contest with multiple challenging stages.
Stage 1: Candidates began by submitting applications with their CVs and cover letters, leading to a personality evaluation through the Red Bull Wingfinder assessment to identify their unique strengths.
Stage 2: The competition intensified as participants crafted short videos showcasing their creativity and personality.
Stage 3: Advancing to virtual interviews, top contenders further explored their aspirations and visions, culminating in a decisive case study challenge that determined the winners of each internship category.
Amidst the various stages, Red Bull also orchestrated a unique outreach event together with NTU last March 2024. A miniature remote-controlled (RC) car zipped through the NTU campus, captivating students and encouraging them to seize the opportunity to participate in the Red Bull Internship Championship. This creative activation was a testament to Red Bull’s commitment to finding the best young talents in Singapore.
“We are proud that two NTU students were selected for the internships in the UK amidst the stiff competition. At NTU, we highly value experiential learning, and internships are a key part of that. We enjoyed working with Red Bull on this internship and extend our sincere gratitude to Oracle Red Bull for their collaboration,” said Professor Sharon Ng, Deputy Dean, Professor of Marketing, Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University Singapore.
Charis and Yi-Hsin now have the unique opportunity to gain invaluable experience within the world of Oracle Red Bull Racing during their internship at the headquarters in Milton Keynes, in the UK.
Working closely with the seasoned professionals, they will delve into various critical aspects of the operations. From understanding the nuances of engineering, to mastering the intricacies of logistics that ensure seamless race day execution, Charis and Yi-Hsin will be at the forefront of the action. This hands-on experience will not only broaden their knowledge but also fine tune their skills, preparing them for a future career in fast-paced and demanding realms.
After returning from their overseas internship, Charis and Yi-Hsin will take part in one of Singapore’s most anticipated events – the Singapore Grand Prix. With their newfound expertise and insights, they will significantly enhance the racing weekend, providing them an opportunity to showcase their talent and dedication.
#FormulaOne #MaxVerstappen #RedBullSG
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