The Shanghai-born youngster won last year's Chinese touring car championship and has previously had brief stints in European-based series including A1GP and Superleague. His elevation to a role at HRT comes following successful simulator tests with the team and a session behind the wheel of a World Series car at Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit.

HRT say that he will follow a programme that includes private tests with cars from different categories along with time in the simulator, and that pending "satisfactory results" he could be given his F1 bow at the end-of-season young driver test.

He joins Spaniard Dani Clos in HRT's young driver line-up and he said: "I'm very honoured to form a part of the driver development programme at HRT Formula 1 Team since, with work and effort, it will allow me to become the first Chinese Formula 1 driver. It's a very special moment for me and it's hard to express how happy I am.

"I've dreamt of becoming a Formula 1 driver since I was very small. And now finally my childhood dream has become true thanks to the opportunity that HRT has granted me to become an F1 driver. And even more so this year with all the drivers who are competing, with six world champions amongst them.

"Driving an F1 car will be the most incredible experience and I'm going to work hard to earn it. Thanks to HRT for offering me the chance to show what I'm capable of. And thanks to my family and everyone who has always supported me. This is only the beginning."

HRT Team Principal Luis Perez-Sala said providing a platform for would-be F1 drivers of the future was part of the goals of the Spanish team and he believes Ma Qing Hua has the talent to make it to the grid in the forthcoming years.

"We are working so that one of the team's signs of identity is to serve as a platform to launch young drivers, both nationally and internationally," he said.

"Ma Qing Hua is one those talents in which we believe and we want to help him in his career so that he can make it to Formula 1. We like his conditions and we want to take part in his formation by incorporating him to the team's Driver Development Programme so that he can participate in races and private tests, with the objective of him being able to take part in the Formula 1 tests reserved to young drivers."

"Due to my responsibility in the Circuit de Catalunya young driver programme, I've been able to follow his progress and personally assisted some tests he did. I knew he had potential, but I was surprised with his speed, safety, adaptation capacity, attitude and professionalism. All these virtues make us believe that his incorporation to the programme will be very positive and will lead to a fruitful and lasting relationship."