DECEMBER 27, 2006

Chinese bound for Spyker?

There are reports in Holland that Ho-pin Tung, a Dutch-born Chinese racer, is trying to land the test drive with the Spyker F1 team. The 24 year old has just won the Recaro Formula 3 Cup series in Germany and has since moved on to race in A1 Grand Prix for Team China. He has recently tested for the KTR team in the Renault World Series and may race in the championship next year.

Tung tested for Williams in 2003 but nothing more came of the opportunity. Since the Dutch takeover of the Midland F1, however, Tung's stock has been on the rise as his Dutch connection would be good for the team as it tries to find big money to help the team move up the F1 ladder. Tung may be able to land money from a big Chinese sponsor.

McLaren has another young Chinese driver under contract. Cheng Congfu and recently signed a sponsorship deal with the Chinese company Aigo.