Shanghai-born HRT team driver Ma Qinghua (left) holds his driving helmet with Li Yuyi, director of Shanghai Sports Bureau, at a press conference in Shanghai yesterday.

China's Ma Qinghua edges closer to a dream Formula One drive after his team HRT confirmed him as an official driver for the 2013 season.

The 24-year-old Shanghai native had already made history when he became the first Chinese to get behind the wheels of an F1 car during a practice session with HRT.

Ma signed with HRT in April this year and then took part in practice sessions in the Italy, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

"We're very happy with Ma Qinghua since he began with us. He's a driver with incredible progress and great potential," said David Mancebo, marketing director of HRT.

"Thanks to his result in the Young Driver Test, he obtained an F1 super license and we were able to incorporate him to the team as a full-scale rider.

"He had taken part in the free practice sessions at the grands prix in Italy, Singapore and Abu Dhabi and he did well."

Ma, who just returned to Shanghai after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this week, is looking forward to the future.

"I feel very honored and thankful to be a Formula 1 driver. It has been a dream since I was very little," Ma told reporters yesterday in Shanghai.

"But I want to say that becoming an F1 driver is not an end of the dream but the beginning."

The Shanghai-born F1 driver is looking forward to more chances on the track and expects the next season to be a better one.

"It's (Abu Dhabi) a new circuit and in the practice session I was helping to test a new engine program which was an improvement to the car.

"I'm glad to help the team and the team was satisfied with my speed." Ma said.

"Actually, after Europe, many grands prix are new circuits like Singapore and Abu Dhabi. I hope I'll have chances for free practice session in the United States and Brazil, which should be good for my future."

Ma said both him and the team were young and looked to grow with the team together.

"Give it some time I think we'll do better," he said.

Ma started racing at the age of 8 and won the youth National Karting Championship at 12.

In 2005, he represented Team China in the A1 Grand Prix and later drove for Team China in two races at the Superleague Formula in 2010.

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