Malta's Keith Camilleri had an encouraging start to his Formula 4 career today, performing strongly in the midfield in the set of three races in the Adria circuit in Italy.

He placed 18th, 12th and 13th out of 22 drivers, all driving identical Tatuus Abarth open wheel single seaters.

Camilleri impressed particularly in the first race, when he managed to nurse his car to the finish despite steering wheel damage in an opening lap incident in which he hurt his hand. He was 1'17.258 off the race leader, Lance Stroll, a member of the Ferrari drivers' academy.

Stroll impressed particularly in the last race when he stalled in pole position, drove off last and managed to cut through the field to seventh.

Ukyo Sasahara won the second race and Andrea Russo won the third. Camilleri was 47.827 seconds off Russo's time of 29'31.822 reflecting a close race.

The next race is in Imola June 29.