23/05/2012
NEWS STORY
Chinese driver Ma Qing Hua will drive a Formula 1 car for the first time in July when he drives the HRT F112 at Silverstone in the Young Driver Test.
This season there will be two Young Driver Tests, the traditional one in Abu Dhabi and a new one just after the British Grand Prix. Each team can choose which one to attend and HRT has opted for the Silverstone event which takes place on 10th, 11th and 12th of July.
In these tests, the 24 year-old Chinese driver will continue to make progress with his programme, which in recent months has included tests with cars from different categories, such as World Series and Formula 3, in Jerez and Valencia, whilst also carrying out tests on the simulator. The Spanish team considers him to be sufficiently prepared to take the next step and has complete faith in Ma Qing Hua's capabilities.
The testing programme for the Shanghai-born driver at the Young Driver Test in Silverstone will be specified and confirmed further ahead.
"I'm very happy and fortunate to have the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car at the Young Driver Test and do it with HRT Formula 1 Team," said Ma Qing Hua. "I've dreamed of this all my life and am aware of the great responsibility that comes with it as I'll be the first Chinese driver ever to take part in the Young Driver Test. I'm very grateful towards HRT Formula 1 Team for this opportunity and the faith they have shown in me and I won't let them down. I'm going to be the first Chinese driver at the Young Driver Test but I hope not to be the last one and for many to follow in my footsteps, thanks to the team's driver development programme which is being very rewarding for me. I hope that with the backing of all my compatriots, both in China and elsewhere, the commitment and link between my nation and the pinnacle of motorsport grows stronger every day."
"Over the last few weeks we've been working with Ma, as a part of our scheduled development programme," added Luis Perez-Sala, "at the Valencia and Jerez circuits with different cars and we consider that he is ready to take part in the Young Driver Test that will take place in Silverstone. We're pleased to be giving him this opportunity in Formula 1 and for the first member of our driver development programme to start accomplishing his targets. Ma is a young driver who has experience in different categories but who hasn't perhaps had the continuity which he deserves. He's very professional, with a positive attitude, he has a feel for the car and, what's most important, he's quick. We've got faith in his quality and are confident that he will do a good job in Silverstone."