HRT Confirm Ma Qing Hua For United States Grand Prix Practice One

HRT have confirmed that development driver Ma Qing Hua will get his fifth outing for the team during the opening practice session ahead of the United States Grand Prix, once again replacing Narain Karthikeyan. This comes amid strong speculation linking the Chinese driver to a full-time drive with the team for 2013, should they find a buyer.

Ma Qing Hua became the first Chinese-born driver to compete in an official Formula 1 event during practice one for the Italian Grand Prix back in September, partnering Pedro de la Rosa within the team. Earlier in the season, the team’s reserve driver Dani Clos also replaced Narain Karthikeyan during opening practice sessions at numerous race weekends. Other teams have also used this ability to run other drivers during practice one, including Williams, Force India and Caterham.

“It’s fantastic to be able to step back into the car for a free practice session and to do so at a new circuit for every team and driver makes it even more special and fun.” Enthused Ma Qing Hua, “Being the first out on track to help the team is a great responsibility and I want to thank them again for the opportunity they’re giving me. Little by little I’m racking up more miles and gaining the necessary experience to grow as a driver, and the continuity I’m getting is also important to help my confidence.”

As has been the case for the majority of the season, Narain Karthikeyan will return to his driving duties within the team for the second practice session later in the day. This could well put the Indian driver at a slight disadvantage for the remainder of the race weekend, as he’ll still be learning the new circuit during practice two whereas the majority of his competitors will already have 90 minutes of track knowledge under their belts.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

Ma Qing Hua To Get Third Running With HRT At Abu Dhabi

HRT’s development driver, Ma Qing Hua, will receive further track action during the opening practice session for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as the Chinese driver replaces Narain Karthikeyan for the opening practice session on Friday. This will be his third outing for HRT, after competing at the Italian and Singapore Grands Prix.

Throughout the course of the 2012 season, HRT have opted to allow both reserve driver Dani Clos and development driver Ma Qing Hua valuable track time behind the wheel of the F112 at the beginning of various race weekends. Each time, both Clos and Ma have replaced Narain Karthikeyan and partnered Pedro de la Rosa for the opening 90 minute session. This weekend will be the same as the rest, with Karthikeyan scheduled to return to his driving duties Friday afternoon for practice two.

“I’m delighted to have another chance to drive again during a Grand Prix weekend with HRT F1 Team” Enthused Ma Qing Hua, “After my two Friday outings in Monza and Singapore, I’ve continued to work hard both physically and mentally to be well prepared for opportunities like this one.

“To be able to continue gaining experience in a Formula 1 car and adding more miles to my tally is essential for me right now and I want to thank the team for making it happen. I’m getting to know the car and the engineers more each time and this makes me more confident every time I step in the car. My target now is to keep on progressing and learning from the team.”

As the HRT F1 Team prepares for this weekend’s race, only one of their drivers has any true knowledge of the Yas Marina circuit. Pedro de la Rosa carried out extensive testing work for Pirelli several years ago, however neither of their current drivers have partaken in a Grand Prix around the tricky circuit. Only Dani Clos has any true racing knowledge, however HRT have decided to give Ma Qing Hua the running on Friday instead of the Spaniard.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

Ma Qing Hua To Drive Once Again In Practice At Singapore

HRT’s development driver Ma Qing Hua will once again get behind the wheel of the F112 at an official F1 event next time out at Singapore, as the Chinese driver continues his valuable learning experiences with the Spanish-outfit. The 24-year-old made F1 history last time out in Monza, becoming the first Chinese-born driver to race in the sport.

After initially partaking in HRT’s Young Driver Test at Silverstone back in July, Ma Qing Hua is now preparing to participate in his second official practice session in F1. Many teams up and down the paddock have utilized the opening practice session of the weekend to run their reserve drivers, such as Valtteri Bottas [Williams] and Jules Bianchi [Force India] making regular appearances for their respective teams. With HRT set to introduce several new upgrades at the Singapore Grand Prix, Ma Qing Hua will be instrumental in testing the new updates.

“I’m very happy to drive the F112 for a second time in a row and I really appreciate the opportunity HRT is giving me.” Explained Ma Qing Hua, “It will be very exciting to drive an F1 [car] around the streets of Singapore. It’s a very demanding track for all of us, but it will be even more of a challenge for me as this is only the second time I will be driving the car at a race weekend. I have prepared myself in the simulator as well as doing some specific exercises to be used to driving at night. This is yet again another step in my career and I look forward to getting more experience at the wheel of a Formula 1 car as well as doing my best to help the team to prepare for the race.”

Ma Qing Hua will once again replace Narain Karthikeyan for the opening session of the weekend, before the Indian driver makes a return behind the cockpit of the F112 for the second practice session later in the afternoon. Narain Karthikeyan has also never raced around the Marina Bay street circuit, and will be eager to utilize the 90-minute second practice session to learn the track.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

Ma Qing Hua To Make F1 Debut At Monza Practice

HRT’s development driver, Ma Qing Hua, will make his first track appearance at an official Formula 1 race at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix when he becomes the first Chinese-born driver to race in the sport. He will replace Narain Karthikeyan for the opening session on the Friday, and will team-mate Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa.

Throughout the majority of the season, HRT have elected their reserve driver Dani Clos to take part in numerous Friday practice sessions, however this weekend will see a slight change as 24-year-old Ma Qing Hua gets behind the wheel of the F112 for the first time since the Young Driver Test at Silverstone back in July. The Shanghai-born driver completed 483.062km during the Silverstone test, and greatly impressed the team as well as securing himself a Formula 1 Super License which enables him to partake during official race weekends.

“This is a very important step towards my dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver.” Explained Ma Qing Hua, “It will be my second time in the car, after the Young Driver Test in Silverstone, and I’m very excited about driving at a circuit like Monza. The objective of this session is to continue advancing with my programme, rack up more miles and experience at the wheel of an F1 car and help the team with whatever they need. I’m excited but also calm about it because I’ve been training hard in the past months to be prepared when the opportunity presented itself. I’ve also worked on the simulator to get to know the circuits a bit better and how a Formula 1 car reacts.”

This weekend will see Ma Qing Hua make F1 history as he becomes the first Chinese-born driver to race in the sport, after Dutch-born Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung tested for Williams and Renault as well driving in the GP2 Series. This will be the second time HRT have made F1 history this season, the first coming at the Spanish Grand Prix when it was announced that Dani Clos would be driving for them alongside Pedro de la Rosa in first practice. This therefore created the first ever all-Spanish line-up in a Spanish F1 team at all places, Spain.

“Personally, it fills me with satisfaction to be able to give Ma the opportunity to make his debut at a Grand Prix, and to do it in FP1 at a classic circuit like Monza makes it even more special.” Said HRT’s team principal, Luis Perez-Sala. “Since we started working with him in March everything has been very quick but he’s responded and overcome every phase accordingly. From tests with World Series or GP2 cars, passing through sessions on the simulator, to the Formula 1 tests in Silverstone where he completed 500 km with no problems. He’s shown to us that he’s on a good level and has transmitted the necessary confidence to take the next step, which is to make his debut at a free practice session of a Grand Prix.”

Narain Karthikeyan, who will sit out the opening practice session for Ma Qing Hua, will naturally make a return behind the cockpit of the F112 during the second practice session in the afternoon. Just like at Spa-Francorchamps last time out, this will be the Indian drivers first appearance at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza since his debut season in 2005 with Jordan.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team