Harlow-based Gratnells (www.gratnells.com), which supplies advanced storage systems and services to schools around the world, continued its support of F1 in Schools at the recent 2019 National Finals.

F1 in Schools, which aims “to help change the perceptions of science, technology, engineering and maths by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people”, runs an annual challenge — engaging over 20 million students in 40 countries — to design a faster F1 car.

During the challenge, student teams from around the world work on the production of their racing-car models, while also creating a brand identity and a ‘pit’ for their teams, undertaking marketing and branding exercises before being judged in regional, national and international finals.

The 2019 National Finals, live-streamed around the world from the Airbus A380 wing factory in Broughton, were won by a team of 13- to 15-year-old students from Robert May’s School in Hampshire.

They will now go on to the F1 in Schools World Finals, where they will battle it out with other national winners to be named World Champions.

Gratnells became a sponsor of the event two years ago, through pro bono supplies of its iconic storage trays and treble Callero Plus trolleys.

International marketing director Richard Picking said: “We have a natural affinity with the world of motor-sport.

“Our chairman and managing director Murray Hudson’s son Rory is a highly successful karting competitor, and we share F1 in School’s passion for a more engaging and stimulating learning environment, which we promote through our own initiative — called Learning Rooms.”