• Silverstone Young Driver Test

HRT to run Ma Qing Hua at Silverstone Young Driver Test

ESPN Staff
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Ma Qing Hua is the first driver to be part of the HRT driver development programme © HRT
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HRT has confirmed that it will take part in the Silverstone Young Driver Test in July, and will run its young driver Ma Qing Hua.

With the teams able to choose which Young Driver Test they wish to attend following the races in Britain and Abu Dhabi, HRT has become the first to confirm one of its drivers. Ma Qing Hua will make his Formula One debut at Silverstone, having joined the team's new driver development programme in April and he said he was hoping to inspire other Chinese drivers.

"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," he said. "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."

Team principal Luis Perez-Sala said he was excited to be able to progress a Ma Qing Hua through the driver development programme.

"Over the last few weeks we've been working with Ma, as a part of our scheduled development programme, 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," Perez-Sala said. "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."

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