F1H2O – Brit Bags Career Best in Italy Grand Prix

British Powerboat Racer Ben Jelf this weekend competed in the third Round of the 2024 F1H2O World Championship, the Regione De Sardegna Grand Prix of Italy in the coastal city of Olbia, Sardinia.

In a fleet of 18 of the Worlds best Powerboat Racers the young British Driver was looking to prove his pace this weekend. After a disastrous second round in Vietnam he was looking to secure some more Championship points and work his way to a podium finish.

Qualifying in 13th place for the Grand Prix Race in difficult conditions Ben was raring to go. With deteriorating conditions the Sprint Races were delayed until Sunday morning.

A strong 6th place finish in the Sprint Race and Ben was ready for the fight in the Grand Prix Race.

With the Wind speeds increasing the Grand Prix Race would start by rolling start. Ben lined up 10th on the grid with three competitors forced to make engine changes meaning they moved to back of the grid moving the youngster up the field.

As the green flag dropped to start the race Ben was sat right on the wake of Norway’s Marit Stromoy in the hopes of getting the jump on her and some of the other racers.

40 laps of exhilarating action unfolded and Ben worked his way through the fleet to a 6th place finish and his best result to date in his F1H2O career.
An elated Ben had this to say on the race “I’m so happy, that race was really intense, the conditions out there were very tricky.”

He continued “I have to thank my team for all their hard work especially my mum and dad I couldn’t do it without them. Also thanks to our sponsors and all our supporters it means the World to us. Now we look to the next round and hopefully secure some more Championship points for the team.”