Maidstone's Ben Jelf bagged a sprint bronze from the grand finale of the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates - but failed to finish the Grand Prix.

In his second full season within the pinnacle of the powerboat racing class, the 24-year-old F1 Atlantic racer has competed at six venues, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Italy and China and finished ninth in the standings.

Jelf claimed fifth on the grid in the final qualifying session but would be promoted to fourth for the Grand Prix race when Abu Dhabi’s Al Qamzi changed his engine.

Before the Grand Prix, the fleet split in two for the afternoon sprint races, with Jelf competing in race one. He brought the boat back in fourth, only to be promoted to the silver-medal position with officials having deemed an infringement on the start and two boats were docked a lap.

Both drivers used their right to appeal but only one was successful and Jelf was confirmed in third place.

He then started the Grand Prix of Sharjah in fourth - albeit he could only manage 15 laps before he had to pull out after a collision with the buoy.

“I couldn't see the buoys due to the spray and conditions and miscalculated, causing
me to hit them,” said Jelf.

“I'm gutted and feel like I've let the team down as they've all worked so hard this season and we have proved we have the pace and are capable of mixing it with the drivers with the bigger budgets than us.

“The support I get from my team, parents and all our supporters is immense and I am eternally grateful. I was looking for that Grand Prix podium to reward them but it wasn't to be this year.

“I’ve taken two bronze medals in sprint races in Indonesia and here this weekend and finished ninth in the World Championship so we are celebrating the positives and are now turning our focus to bouncing back in 2025 and bringing home more silverware.”

The 2025 F1H2O calendar is to be confirmed, but it’s expected to start in Vietnam in late February.