Mechanical problems combined with the elements meant Maidstone’s Ben Jelf suffered a frustrating start to this season’s F1H20 campaign in Indonesia.

Jelf, racing for the F1 Atlantic Team, suffered a blown piston in a delayed qualifying for the first of two shorter-than-planned races due to excessive winds on Lake Toba.

After frantic repairs from his crew, Jelf took a place for the start but more gremlins forced him retire on lap 10 in 17th place.

Race two was no better but the whole field were affected this time when, after three laps, strong winds forced officials to abandon the action on safety grounds.

Jelf, who along with the other drivers was introduced to Indonesian president Joko Widodo during the meeting, said: “We never achieved the results we quite wanted and the weather was definitely against us, but we’ve learnt a lot this week and it’s been a fantastic event.

“The welcome we’ve received from everyone here at Lake Toba has been absolutely phenomenal.

“I learn every time I get in the boat and will continue to learn from the wealth of knowledge the team around me have to offer.

“We now turn attentions to [the] Grand Prix of China in Zhengzhou at the end of April.”