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Ma makes history for China with F1 drive
Source: Agencies |
September 8, 2012, Saturday
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SHANGHAI-BORN Ma Qinghua made history yesterday by becoming the first Chinese driver to take part in a Formula One race weekend as he drove in the first practise session for HRT at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Ma, standing in for India's Narain Karthikeyan, did not shine on debut, however, finishing last and over five seconds off the pace, though he was within two seconds of teammate Pedro de la Rosa by the end to complete a creditable first effort on what can be a daunting circuit with very low downforce.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton shut out the swirl of paddock speculation about his future and focused on lapping fastest time in second practise.
The 27-year-old led a team one-two at the top of the timesheets with a best lap of one minute 25.290 seconds in brilliant sunshine while Jenson Button, winner in Belgium last weekend, was 0.038 slower.
Hamilton has been the main talking point of the weekend with the rumor mill suggesting he could switch to Mercedes in place of Michael Schumacher.
Championship leader Fernando Alonso endured more problems with his Ferrari, struggling with his car in both sessions.
Schumacher was fastest in first practise, posting a time of 1:25.422.
McLaren said it will not be distracted by speculation over Hamilton's future.
"Media like that sort of speculation, but Lewis and his management have assured me of their intentions and we're focused on working together at the moment," team principal Martin Whitmarsh said yesterday.
"This weekend is important for Lewis. He needs to ensure that he gets his championship hunt back on track, and I think that's what he wants as well.
"There's going to be all sorts of speculation, but we are really focused on making sure we do a good job here in Monza," Whitmarsh added.
Mercedes team chief Ross Brawn said he had not ruled out the possibility of Schumacher taking a management job with the team next year.
"It is possible," he said. "In terms of what role Michael would play in the future, we are not discussing that in detail because that is not a consideration at the moment.
"But Michael's experience of motor racing, and his judgement and so on, would be an asset to any team. I am not sure he wants a day-to-day commitment that some of us do, but he would like to stay involved.
"He loves the sport, he loves racing, and he loves developing the cars, and seeing how the team works. I can full well see in the future that he would retain a strong interest and that will come one day, and I do hope it will be with us."
Ma, standing in for India's Narain Karthikeyan, did not shine on debut, however, finishing last and over five seconds off the pace, though he was within two seconds of teammate Pedro de la Rosa by the end to complete a creditable first effort on what can be a daunting circuit with very low downforce.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton shut out the swirl of paddock speculation about his future and focused on lapping fastest time in second practise.
The 27-year-old led a team one-two at the top of the timesheets with a best lap of one minute 25.290 seconds in brilliant sunshine while Jenson Button, winner in Belgium last weekend, was 0.038 slower.
Hamilton has been the main talking point of the weekend with the rumor mill suggesting he could switch to Mercedes in place of Michael Schumacher.
Championship leader Fernando Alonso endured more problems with his Ferrari, struggling with his car in both sessions.
Schumacher was fastest in first practise, posting a time of 1:25.422.
McLaren said it will not be distracted by speculation over Hamilton's future.
"Media like that sort of speculation, but Lewis and his management have assured me of their intentions and we're focused on working together at the moment," team principal Martin Whitmarsh said yesterday.
"This weekend is important for Lewis. He needs to ensure that he gets his championship hunt back on track, and I think that's what he wants as well.
"There's going to be all sorts of speculation, but we are really focused on making sure we do a good job here in Monza," Whitmarsh added.
Mercedes team chief Ross Brawn said he had not ruled out the possibility of Schumacher taking a management job with the team next year.
"It is possible," he said. "In terms of what role Michael would play in the future, we are not discussing that in detail because that is not a consideration at the moment.
"But Michael's experience of motor racing, and his judgement and so on, would be an asset to any team. I am not sure he wants a day-to-day commitment that some of us do, but he would like to stay involved.
"He loves the sport, he loves racing, and he loves developing the cars, and seeing how the team works. I can full well see in the future that he would retain a strong interest and that will come one day, and I do hope it will be with us."
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