Chinese racer Ma Qing Hua will return to the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in China this weekend for Citroën, as he races at his two home events in Beijing and Shanghai.
Ma had earlier this year been confirmed to race at European events at the Moscow Raceway and Spa-Francorchamps, as well as Asian events Shanghai and Macau. With the cancellation of the USA round earlier this year and its subsequent replacement by Beijing Goldenpark Circuit, Ma has been brought in to race at both mainland China events.
“Goldenport Park is one of the oldest circuits in China,” explained Ma of this weekend’s event, the first time the WTCC will visit the circuit. “It’s not the one I know best, but I did several single-seater races there a few years ago.
“The track may be short, but there’s absolutely no margin for error, as you’re always close to the safety barriers. You really can’t let your concentration slip for a second.
“The other difficulty lies in the track surface, which is very abrasive on the tyres. That’s going to be particularly tricky with our front-wheel drive cars. We’ll have to find the right setup to preserve the tyres throughout the races.”
Ma will also race this weekend with a special livery on his C-Elysée, which celebrates the Chinese Year of the Horse.
“I’ve prepared well, taking part in test sessions and working on the Citroën Racing simulator,” added the Chinese driver. “I’ll have to be strong in free practice so that I go into qualifying in good shape.
“This circuit doesn’t have any long straights, so there will hardly be any overtaking opportunities – a lot fewer than in Shanghai, in any case.”
Ma also added that following his victory in Moscow – the first for a Chinese driver in an FIA World Championship – his profile in his home country has grown significantly.
“That win is going to stay as the most important moment in my career and probably in my entire life,” explained Ma. “It was historic for me and also for Chinese motorsports, and I really feel a sense of happiness and pride.
“I must admit my life has changed since then. A lot of Chinese saw that race on TV and felt proud of what I did, and after that win there was a lot of media attention on me. I did a lot of interviews and as a result, I now get recognized and greeted in the streets! It’s a nice feeling, but I want to keep my feet on the ground.”
Citroën also head to Beijing this weekend with a mathematical chance of securing the inevitable manufacturer’s crown, with a margin of 247 points over Honda.