Photo by Brian Carless
Meet the top-10 finalists in the Red Bull Formula Una competition (from left) Kiri-Ann Bridgewater, Leanne Spence, Gail Ranglin, Ranekia Stephens, Salome Campbell, Chantelle Marie Fisher, Loni Jones, Amelia 'Milk' Sewell, Racquel Brown and Tara Vendryes.

Mario James, Gleaner Writer

Red Bull is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with in formula one races. This is driven by a passion for auto racing fuelled by Red Bull head honcho, Dietrich Mateschitz. In a bold marketing move, the Red Bull principal has started a global competition called Formula Una, which is about finding a girl that personifies Red Bull's essence. Such a participant must be very knowledgeable of the spectacle that is formula one.

LOVES THE BRAND

"We are looking for a fun-looking, attractive girl, who is light-hearted and enjoys sports, who understands the formula one world, our (Red Bull) sporting world, which is a lot of motor sports and loves the brand," says André Attale, business unit manager for Red Bull Caribbean.

"We are taking them through a series of activities (as part of their elimination process), such as hiking and go-karting, to see how the girls interact (in a sporting environment),"he adds.

The Red Bull team will have the final say when they get here, as to who will be the final choice. The 10 girls were chosen in a competition that was held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel poolside in New Kingston on April 16. A total of 36 girls participated, but only 10 were selected by Felicia Williams and Mitchell Watson, Red Bull's representatives in Jamaica.

One girl will go on to represent Red Bull and Jamaica at the Formula One meet, then on to the principality of Monaco at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The winner will be announced on the night of May 4 at the after party of the F1 urban run. This fine young lady will have to have very good knowledge of formula one racing.

Transport minister Mike Henry headed the list of notables attending the Formula Una selection. Others included Red Bull's representatives from Austria, Brazil and Trinidad. The event was the first of its kind to be held in Jamaica.