China's Ma lands Caterham spot as Grand Prix debut ever closer
updated 5:00 PM EST, Fri March 1, 2013
Ma Quing Hua is a trailblazer for Chinese drivers as he bids to establish himself in Formula One.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ma Quing Hua confirmed as Caterham reserve driver for 2013
- Chinese driver will take part in a practice session at his home grand prix
- Jules Bianchi signed up by Marussia for coming season
- Romain Grosjean fastest in Friday's testing in Barcelona
(CNN) -- Ma Quing Hua took a step nearer to becoming the first Chinese driver to compete in a Formula One race when he was named as a reserve driver for the Caterham team for the 2013 season Friday.
American Alexander Rossi was also picked as an understudy to the Malaysian-owned team's pair of Frenchman Charles Pic and Dutch rookie Giedo van der Garde.
Ma was previously with now defunct Spanish outfit HRT and took part in an official practice session as he broke new ground.
Caterham, whose co-chairman is airline magnet Tony Fernandez, the owner of EPL football side Queens Park Rangers, will give Ma the chance to take part in first practice ahead of his home grand prix next month.
He will also race for Caterham in the GP2 series during 2013.
Caterham's guide to Singapore
Racing the Monaco Grand Prix
"I know the fans at home will be really excited to see me race in GP2," Ma told Caterham's official team website.
"With the F1 work I also have ahead of me, China can be proud that it continues to have a driver involved in motor racing at the very highest level."
Read: Sutil to return to Force India
Caterham principal Cyril Abiteboul added: "We are looking forward to helping him develop his talents, both in the F1 and GP2 environments, and giving Chinese fans a figurehead to support on track throughout the year ahead."
Meanwhile, Marussia confirmed their 2013 driver line-up by signing Frenchman Jules Bianchi to join Britain's Max Chilton.
Bianchi, who missed out on the number two slot for Force India to Germany's Adrian Sutil, will replace Brazilian Luiz Razia at the Russian-licensed team.
Testing for the season continued in Barcelona Friday and France's Romain Grosjean, in a Lotus, set the fastest time in dry afternoon conditions.
His best of one minute 22.716 seconds was half a second quicker than McLaren driver Jenson Button, who had set the best time in the morning at the Catalunya circuit in wet conditions.
World champion Sebastian Vettel was fourth fastest in his Red Bull.
The testing session ends Sunday ahead of the start of the 2013 season in Melbourne on March 17.
Part of complete coverage on
Track the new Formula One season as it progresses, circuit by circuit, race by race.
updated 9:24 AM EDT, Thu March 14, 2013
Can the new F1 season live up to last year's standards? Find out the need-to-know stories for 2013.
updated 7:48 AM EDT, Thu March 14, 2013
CNN looks ahead to the Australian Grand Prix, the first F1 race of the 2013 season.
updated 1:24 PM EST, Thu February 28, 2013
Adrian Sutil will be Force India's second driver for the 2013 Formula One season, pledging to make the most of his "second chance".
updated 8:52 PM EST, Fri March 1, 2013
Christmas Abbott, 5'3 and 115 pounds, is the first woman to join a NASCAR pit crew team.
updated 7:35 PM EST, Mon February 11, 2013
The first race in Melbourne is just around the corner and Formula 1 teams are gearing up for a season which promises to be as technical as it is tactical.
updated 7:19 AM EST, Fri March 1, 2013
When the new Formula 1 season gets underway in March, for the first time there will be a woman running a team's entire operations from track to boardroom.
updated 7:22 AM EST, Mon January 21, 2013
The Dakar Rally is one of the world's most dangerous motorsport races, and this year's edition has already been marred by tragic deaths.
updated 2:20 PM EST, Thu January 31, 2013
The famous circuit of Nurburgring is confirmed Thursday as the venue for the 2013 German Grand Prix after reaching a deal with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.
updated 10:36 AM EST, Tue November 27, 2012
It did not take very long for the inevitable question to be asked -- just how good a driver is Sebastian Vettel?
updated 9:49 AM EST, Thu January 24, 2013
Changes to tires will make Formula 1 racing faster with more overtaking in 2013, according to the sport's official tire supplier Pirelli.
updated 4:35 AM EST, Mon November 26, 2012
Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, and contemporary pacesetters Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso were all contenders.
updated 8:32 AM EST, Fri November 23, 2012
Who is the greatest F1 driver of all time? Past and present drivers give their verdict on the contenders to CNN.
CNN has asked Formula One stars past and present, "Who is the best driver of all time?" Now we want to hear from you.
updated 4:48 AM EST, Tue November 20, 2012
A triumphant Lewis Hamilton called Sunday's United States Grand Prix the best race of 2012 but for many it was more important than that -- it was Formula One being reborn in the USA.
CNN's Ben Wyatt says Sebastian Vettel or Fernando Alonso will seal their place in F1 history in Brazil this weekend.
updated 2:41 PM EST, Sun November 25, 2012
The F1 title race will be fought over 20 races this season. Keep track of the latest standings in the drivers' and manufacturers' championships.
updated 10:20 AM EST, Fri November 16, 2012
Mario Andretti says the key to rekindling F1 in the U.S. is a buzzword that has been flying around Washington faster than a Ferrari -- stability.
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|