APRIL 5, 2012

HRT targets Chinese market

Ma Qing Hua is hoping to become the first Chinese F1 driver on the back of his incorporation into HRT's young driver development programme alongside Spaniard Dani Clos.

The 26-year-old raced in Italian F3000 as long ago as 2005, with the Astromega team, and also took part in the National class of the British F3 championship in 2009. He is the current China Touring Car Champion.

Hua's HRT programme will include private runs in junior formulae cars and simulator tests, with a view to taking the wheel of the HRT F112 at this season's F1 Young Driver test. His inclusion follows a Valencia test at the wheel of a World Series car.

"I'm very honoured to form a part of the driver development programme at HRT," Ma Qing Hua said, "and with work and effort it will allow me to become the first Chinese Formula 1 driver. It's a very special moment for me and it's hard to express how happy I am.

"I've dreamt of becoming a Formula 1 driver since I was very small. I started in the karting world when I was 8 years old and I worked really hard to learn and become quicker every time. Driving an F1 car will be the most incredible experience and I'm going to work hard to earn it."

HRT team principal Luis Perez Sala said: "We are working so that one of the team's signs of identity is to serve as a platform to launch young drivers, both nationally and internationally."