Wonderboy Ma Qinghua became the first native Chinese driver to have officially set foot in the world of Formula 1 motorsports when he commanded the HRT car at the practice session in Monza, Italy on September 7. Two months has passed, and with every upcoming race day looking like his debut race, the Shanghai-born racer has brought Chinese car enthusiasts to the edge of their seats.

In a rare one-on-one interview, the 24-year-old Shanghai-born racer tells us about his love with motorsports and whom he would like to race in a private circuit.

HongKongTatler.com: When and how did you fall in love with car racing?
Ma Qinghua: I was eight when my father took me to my first go-karting session. I was very scared at first, but he pushed me on. After half a lap, I realised that I actually liked that feeling, and I eventually asked for another session. I decided that I wanted to become a professional driver that same day.

HKT.com: Motorsports is often seen as dangerous, and discouraged in most Chinese families, but your family was fine with your decision?
MQH: Well, yes many years ago there might have been some accidents in Formula 1 and other races, and of course at the beginning my parents were worried about that. But once you get to know more about professional racing, you’ll learn that motorsports is actually quite safe. The driver has a very good protection system; all of our gears are checked by the FIA [Federation Internationale de l'Automobile]. And a big part of car design is for the driver’s safety.

HKT.com: Outside of Formula 1, what do you drive?
MQH: [Laughs] Now I don’t have a car because I’m always travelling. I may get a rental car sometimes but it changes.

HKT.com: Was there a moment when you realised you were actually onto something big? That you’ve got what it takes?
MQH: I think it was in 2008 when I did the Formula 3. I felt different, I knew exactly what a professional driver should and shouldn’t do, and I knew where I should and shouldn’t be.

HKT.com: Was going from a lower category to Formula 1 a smooth transition?
MQH: I try to make it a smooth one. For any driver, regardless of the country you’re from, you have to be very professional to get into Formula 1. And after racing in many categories, I tried to find a way to be in the Formula 1. That’s why last year I raced in the Chinese Touring Car Championship because I know that race is the most important one in China, and all the best Chinese drivers are there. That’s why I returned from Europe to prove myself and to get connected to Formula 1.

HKT.com: How did you feel during your first practice session in Monza with HRT?
MQH: Personally, before that it was only on video games that I got to drive alongside all these professional drivers. But finally I was driving with Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. Was it emotional for me? Yes, a little. It was a good memory.

HKT.com: You were wearing this special pair of glasses during the practice round in Singapore, tell us about them.
MQH: Those were specially designed by Tag Heuer for night driving. It was a night race in Singapore and on the street, which had a lot of strong lights. So without the glasses, it could have been really shiny and damaged my vision. These Tag Heuer night vision glasses helped cut out some of the light and the circuit looked smoother that way.

HKT.com: If there was one current Formula 1 driver you could do a one-on-one race with, who would it be?
MQH: [Laughs] I like everyone, they are all my favourite drivers. I really cannot choose one, but for top three, may be I’ll go for Fernando Alonso, our team’s first driver Pedro de la Rosa and Kimi Räikkönen.

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