Jarno Trulli makes a visit to ION Orchard

It was an afternoon treat for shoppers and the lunchtime crowd when Toyota’s F1 team ace driver popped by ION Orchard for an afternoon visit. The Italian was in town to pick the winner for Panasonic’s "Get Me to the Race" Car Design Contest.

The aim was to find innovative, budding would-be engineers who could construct a model car using only recycled materials. The winner, Bryan Foo, who was chosen by Jarno, walked away with a pair of tickets to the F1 Paddock Club and exclusive Panasonic-Toyota race memorabilia.

"F1 has always been perceived to be a sport for the elite. We are trying to change that perception by organising initiatives that would pique the public’s interest and satisfy their curiosity about the sport. We hope that through the "Get Me to the Race Car" Car Design Competition, we would be able to reach out to youth, get their creative juices flowing when trying to create a car out of recyclable materials and, ultimately, reward them for their efforts with tickets to the F1 Paddock Club," said Christopher Lim, Manager, Corporate Communications Group, Panasonic Asia Pacific.