BU student in pole position for Formula 1 trophy competition

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A BU student – and Formula 1 fanatic – is in the running to have a trophy he designed handed out to the winning drivers of the British and German Grand Prix.

Second year BA (Hons) Industrial Design student Chris Bryan is currently in the top 10 of the Santander Challenge, which has attracted hundreds of entries from students around the world.

The competition, set by Banco Santander through its Santander Universities Global Division, challenged students to design the official Formula 1 trophy which will be presented to the British and German F1 Grand Prix winners.

It will be decided by a public vote – with the top ten most popular entries going through to be judged by Santander, who will choose the winning design.

Chris has so far received more than 12,950 votes for his design – which features the Santander flame logo coming out of the back of the trophy.

“I wanted to make the trophy tall, so that it was something to hold and be a bit of a striking statement,” he said.

“I had the idea to have the flames rising out of the back of the trophy, so it was a bit more noticeable. From the side, it looks like a phoenix.”

He added: “The support that I’ve had from friends and family has been amazing – my parents have been getting their work colleagues to vote and I’ve even had complete strangers commenting on my design and sharing it with their friends.

“The competition has hundreds of entries from around the world, so getting into the top 10 would be amazing. It has shot up so quickly, I really want to win now.”

Prizes for the student who creates the winning design also include a replica of their trophy and a trip for two to the British Grand Prix, including grandstand tickets.

Chris, 20, is from Woking in Surrey – the home of McLaren – and is a self-confessed Formula 1 fanatic.

For the past seven years I have just been obsessed,” he said.

“When the F1 races are televised my life comes to a complete standstill as I watch every detail.”

He added: “It would be amazing for someone to hold up my trophy and then for me to get a replica.

“I’m a massive Formula 1 fan and I have always enjoyed design, ever since I was a little boy playing with my toys.

“These two things coming together would mean so much and make me so happy – especially in terms of making me stand out in my career.”

People can vote for entries in the Santander Challenge until May 14.

See Chris’ design and vote