Chinese driver Ma determined to put China on Formula One map

Ma,China8217;s first driver to conduct an F1 test and take part in a grand prix weekend,shrugged off the set-back of his first failed team and has re-focused on making the top grade with Caterham.

They8217;ve given me a lot of support and everyone8217;s very professional, the 25-year-old told Reuters in the paddock at Albert Park circuit.

I8217;m feeling very comfortable here8230;everything from the car to the catering is better,no question.

Shanghai has been featured in the F1 calendar since 2004 but Chinese drivers have been slow to get off the grid.

Ma,who has raced in various series 8211; including the now defunct team-based series,A1,and won the Chinese touring car title in 2011 8211; is determined to bring his 1.3 billion countrymen up to speed quickly.

It8217;s very difficult for China,because motor sport is new for Chinese people. It8217;s just been around for a few years. Most of the people don8217;t understand it. The population of motor sport fans are growing but we still need time.

But for me,personally,I8217;m very happy where it8217;s at. I want to be the person to introduce and develop F1 in China.

Ma has been confirmed for Friday8217;s practice session at the Chinese Grand Prix in his home town of Shanghai and will appear in a television segment during the local broadcast to explain the world of Formula One.

The idea of a Chinese driver helping to unlock the world8217;s biggest marketplace,in the manner that former Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming did for the National Basketball Association,would be a salivating prospect for both Formula One management and,cash-strapped teams in the paddock.

Many Chinese viewers switched off last season,according to an F1 report on TV audiences,and Ma might help rekindle their interest.

Caterham have not shied away from the commercial realities of the championship,with their two new drivers,Frenchman Charles Pic and Dutchman Giedo Van der Garde,both bringing sponsors to the team.

Caterham,who competed as Team Lotus in 2011 and Lotus Racing in their debut season,declined to clarify what support Ma had brought to the table,if any.

But his manager,Albert Fabrega from Spain-based China Sports Management,said the driver had already signed a contract with a Chinese corporate backer and the deal would be announced at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Although Ma is relatively old to be starting out a career in F1,he believes he has the skills to achieve his dream of winning a seat.

Even people close to me,friends and family,almost nobody could really believe that there could be a Chinese driver in Formula One, said Ma,whose father runs a go-kart business in Shanghai to help finance his son8217;s career.

People have supported me a lot but didn8217;t really believe it could happen. But I believed very strongly that I would get this far,and still believe I will get a seat. I trust myself a lot because I know how to be a professional F1 driver.8221;

Ma will bide his time racing in the GP2 series for Caterham this year to gain more experience while he awaits his chance.