As Formula One heads to Shanghai this weekend for the Chinese Grand Prix, which also marks the season’s first sprint race weekend, Pirelli’s new trophy design for the driver who sets the fastest lap in the sprint qualifying has become a target of criticism from fans online, with many likening it to a “trash bin.”

With the sprint qualifying and sprint race being the biggest change compared to the usual Grand Prix weekends, the schedule has been adjusted, making things more hectic for drivers and teams. Friday, March 21, marks the first practice session and sprint qualifying. Saturday will host the sprint race, followed by qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix. The main race will take place on Sunday.

Pirelli, F1’s official tire supplier, has introduced a new trophy for the driver who secures the pole position for the sprint race, and its unique design is meant to celebrate the Italian brand’s 500th Grand Prix at this year’s Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort. A statement from Pirelli read:

“A new trophy will make its debut in China, going to whoever takes pole position in Friday afternoon’s Sprint Qualifying.

“The trophy features an embossed version of the special logo to mark Pirelli’s season-long celebration of reaching its 500th Grand Prix later this year at the Dutch round of the championship, presented on 18 February during Formula 1’s team presentation event at London’s O2 Arena.

“Furthermore, at the end of all six of this year’s Sprint Qualifying sessions, the trophy will be personalised with a silver plaque bearing the polesitter’s initials as used to identify the drivers on the timing screens.”

While Pirelli is happy about celebrating an important milestone, fans on X have strongly disapproved of the design. Some fans’ reactions are given below:

A brutal reaction. Is it that bad?

“Is it a trash bin? Because it looks like a trash bin” [sic]

A similar comment:

“It looks like a well designed trash can” [sic]

Someone still trying to figure out what that is:

“What in the absolute hell is that” [sic]

This person likes the traditional tire trophy:

“They somehow made something worse than giving away a mini tyre” [sic]

Another fan of the traditional tire trophy:

“I just want one of the current ones. If Pirelli have any lying around, I’ll gladly take one off of them. Doubt I’ll be winning one on merit any time soon.”

Definitely not a joke:

“This has to be a joke.”

This fan went off-topic by a mile:

“Why can’t they make a tyre that lets drivers drive flat out for one entire lap in qualifying instead? Worst part of the sport, undermining and dominating every aspect.”

Something is better than nothing:

“Its very ugly but a good idea to have some kind of reward for sprint pole” [sic]