Ma Qing Hua became the first Chinese-born driver to participate in any F1 event when he tested with HRT, and the first to take part in a practice session, when he appeared in Italy for the team. Several more practice sessions followed, and in 2013 he participated in a Friday session for Caterham, but neither team managed to give him a full time race seat.

F1 biography

Ma became part of the HRT F1 driver development programme in early 2012, and was given the opportunity to participate in some FIA sanctioned events throughout the year. He became the first Chinese driver to test the car, and was then allowed to take part in some of the Friday practice sessions as well.

HRT gave him some practice time in Italy, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and the US in 2012, however with the demise of the team at the end of the year, his F1 career was looking uncertain. For 2013, he moved to Caterham and drove in the practice session in China for the green team. However, no race seat followed there either.

For 2014 and 2015, Ma raced in the World Touring Car Championship for Citroën, winning one race each year and finishing on the podium on several occasions. He joined Formula E in its second season and continued with electric racing for several years.