Powerboat racer Ben Jelf starts quest to better last year’s 17th-place finish for F1 Atlantic Team at UIM F1H2O World Championship opener in Indonesia

British powerboat racer Ben Jelf is in Indonesia for the opening round of the UIM F1H2O World Championship.

The mechanic, from Maidstone, will once more join the F1 Atlantic Team and is looking to build on last year’s 17th-placed finish.

As the only British contender, Jelf joins the experience of Portugal’s Duarte Benavente.

The Grand Prix of Indonesia will mark the 300th race in F1H2O history and features 18 racers.

Free practice starts today (Friday) followed by qualifying and sprint races on Saturday and the main event on Sunday.

Jelf said: “It feels like the season only finished yesterday. But I cannot wait to get back out on the water with the F1 Atlantic Team.

“The team has been working hard over the winter and we are hoping to get a strong start to the season.

“Lake Toba, and the Indonesians gave us such a warm welcome in 2023.

“I can’t wait to go back and hopefully with the backing of a great team and fantastic supporters we can put in a good performance.”