Making Japanese dreams come true

The presenter of the Pirelli Pole Position Award is… you?
Since the start of the season, Pirelli has been awarding the Pirelli Pole Position Award to the driver on pole position at every race. This unique award takes the form of an engraved wind tunnel tyre: an exact replica of the compound that has just been used to set pole position, which is then signed by the pole-sitting driver as soon as he gets out of the car. It's a special moment, seen by the whole world as the ceremony is often televised.

Usually, a celebrity, Pirelli senior manager, or former driver hands over the prize: names have included people as diverse as Sir Jackie Stewart and world rally champion Carlos Sainz. But at the Japanese Grand Prix, this award ceremony is going to have a slightly different look to it. And that's because the person presenting the award is going to be a fan, handed the opportunity of a lifetime to take centre stage and meet the pole-winning driver. 

This initiative is the result of a social media competition launched by Pirelli that has never been seen before, and the winner will be the person who has the best costume that represents their support and passion for Formula 1.

How to enter
The Japanese Grand Prix is well-known for having the best and most passionate fans of the season, and they often turn up to the race wearing elaborate costumes to demonstrate their enthusiasm. In the past, fans have come dressed as Ayrton Senna (complete with yellow helmet and perfect replica McLaren-Honda overalls), an entire Martini-liveried Williams Formula 1 car, Bernie Ecclestone, and even a P Zero tyre, mounted on a Pirelli cap. This Pirelli fan was so dedicated to his theme that he even had a t-shirt made emblazoned with a photograph of former motorsport director Paul Hembery. 

What we're asking fans to do is post selfies of themselves wearing the costumes they are planning to wear to the grand prix on Pirelli Motorsport Facebook and Pirelli Japan Facebook.  The competition is open now, and everyone has until Thursday evening to do this, 9pm Japanese time. We'll then pick the best four, post them on @pirellisport Twitter on Friday morning, and from there it will be down to fans all over the world to vote for the best costume and who gets to present the Pirelli Pole Position Award on Saturday. Voting will close at 6pm on Friday (Japanese time), and then we'll notify the lucky winner on Friday night: ready for he or she to present the Pole Position Award after qualifying on Saturday.

An unforgettable experience
Our winner, complete with eye-catching costume, will become a paddock celebrity for the day, as we'll meet them before qualifying to give them an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the paddock, including our tyre fitting facilities. They will then be welcomed to the Pirelli motorhome for lunch and to watch the qualifying session together with the Pirelli team: always one of the most tense and exciting sessions of the year. 

The highlight comes right at the end when we accompany the winner to the pit lane, where they will be given the Pirelli Pole Position Award to present to the winning driver. A photo session will take place at the same time, providing an amazing souvenir of an unforgettable day. Japanese fans are unbelievably devoted to the sport, so it's a real pleasure to help make one person's dream come true at one of the most-loved grands prix of the year. Of course, you don't have to be Japanese to enter: you just need to be coming to Suzuka with a good costume. So get creating!