THE SingTel Singapore Grand Prix may have won the approval of all. But, it seems, the same cannot be said of its trophies.
When they were being presented to the top three finishers on Sunday, a fan was overheard saying: "Here comes the ugly trophy."
Netizens have discussed the trophy - designed by Singaporean Zulkifle Mahmod, 33, a sound-media artist trained in sculpture, and made by Royal Selangor - with mixed feelings.
On one forum, users said it looked like "metal-plated empty toilet rolls" and "creativity taken a step too far".
Others approved the design, calling it "pretty cool", "unique" and "different".
The trophy has a traditional cup-shaped core, camouflaged by an eye-popping contemporary exterior.
Twenty pewter panels in various sizes and finishes give a layered effect, while the base looks like a steering wheel.
Melissa Boey, 25, did not like the design. She felt it was "too edgy for a classic world-class event like the F1".
"It better remains as an art piece than a trophy," said the photographer.
Fashion designer Thomas Wee, 59, said: "The whole thing is busy, but maybe that's what they want to project - a robust feeling of the whole race."
James Soh, 36, liked it. He blogged: "At first glance, it looks very much like a tree or bush or upside-down metallic broom. But, after 15 minutes of closer inspection, I began to like it."
SingTel is undecided whether to use a new design for next year's trophy.
