(Xinhua)
China finally has its first Formula One driver.
Ma Qinghua, a 24 year-old man from Shanghai, will represent the Spanish team HRT for F1's 2013 racing season, the team announced at a press conference in Shanghai on Tuesday afternoon, Tencent's sports channel reported.
Ma made his debut during an official F1 practice session for HRT at the Italian Grand Prix on Sept 7, making history as the first Chinese-born driver ever to drive an F1 car at an FIA-sanctioned event.
He later took part in practice sessions in Singapore and Abu Dhabi, winning over the HRT team with his expertise.