No sport is as competitive as F1. To succeed, you need teamwork, clear decision-making and outstanding technology.

That’s why ACO, drainage supplier to 11 Grand Prix circuits around the world, is working with the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) to launch Race Team Manager (www.raceteammanager.com): a competition to identify leading teams and individuals in the builders’ merchant sector working together to deliver outstanding service.

Running from 29 May until 14 September, entrants are asked five online F1 questions, which are released before each race, accumulating points for correct answers. A selection of weekly F1-themed prizes are on offer to the best performing teams, as well as high-scoring individuals.

In September the top eight teams, and two ‘wildcards’ picked from those who enter after the competition starts, will be invited to the Grand Final at the BMF Members Day to win prizes and the ‘Race Team Manger 2016’ title. Special guests, including Professor Mark Jenkins from Cranfield Business School, and Paul McNamara, technical director at Williams Advanced Engineering, will also be on hand to discuss what the commercial lessons merchants can learn from F1 team management.

Richard Hill at ACO Technologies, said: “Having developed drainage solutions for one of the most sporting environments, the same principles and sophisticated technology can be applied in less demanding applications across the domestic and commercial markets.

“For example, the ACO Qmax slot draining system has been installed at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas; but is just as at home there as it would be on a UK highway, airport or car park. Our merchant partners are absolutely crucial to the delivery of these solutions to the end-user, and much like a successful race team, the most effective merchant teams are those that work closely to deliver the best possible service.

“We hope Race Team Manager will be a fun and engaging competition for merchant teams up and down the country, and with a great array of prizes to be won – including VIP tickets to the 2017 Silverstone Grand Prix – and some fantastic insights from the likes of Cranfield Business School and Williams Advanced Engineering, I’d urge teams to get entering now to ensure they have the best chance of making the Grand Final.”