Ma Qinghua hopes to be driving force for F1 in China

China’s first and only Formula One driver set another landmark yesterday just by taking part in his home grand prix weekend in Shanghai, saying he hopes to inspire a new generation of fans and racers.

Ma Qinghua may have clocked the slowest time of the session, but when he took to the circuit during morning practice he became the only Chinese driver to have featured in a Chinese Grand Prix weekend, adding to a growing list of “firsts”.

The 25-year-old, a reserve driver for Caterham, brought up the rear just behind teammate Giedo van der Garde.

Not that his lap time appeared to matter to home fans and media, who crowded round the Shanghai native, scrambling for his signature and posing for photos with their Formula One trailblazer.

"I hope I can be a big help for Chinese motorsports," said Ma, speaking comfortably in English.

"It is a new sport in China and it's becoming very popular very fast. During these recent years we've seen more and more people watching the race and coming to the circuit.