F1: Ma Qing Hua in mother of all drives for China

MA Qing Hua yesterday made Formula 1 history by becoming the first Chinese-born driver to test in the sport.

Ma completed 82 laps overall of Silverstone’s grand prix circuit for HRT on the first of two days of a young driver test, with his best time a one minute 37.829secs.

Although Ho-Pin Tung tested with Williams in 2003, he was born in Holland, unlike 24-year-old Ma who hails from Shanghai. Ma, who last year was Chinese touring car champion, said: “It was a fantastic feeling to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time.”