Tung's F1 dream needs a big boost

Slides
Photos

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-06 16:36

Dutch-born Chinese driver Tung Ho-pin is revving up to race in Formula One - all he needs is to find is willing sponsors.

Dutch-born Chinese driver Tung Ho-pin waves to spectators before the ROC Nations Cup on Tuesday. Tung is poised to join a F1 team if he can finds sponsors. [China Daily]

"There are teams for sale and three new teams set to join the ranks. This is the right moment to jump into F1," Bert Winkler, manager of Tung, told China Daily.

"The discussions we have had with teams are positive as they absolutely want Ho-pin in a F1 car. However, we need some partners. We are close to making a deal with some people. We still need some more Chinese companies to give us some backup. It's 50-50 that Ho-pin will be in a F1 car next year."

Tung, who will turn 27 next month, is the Chinese driver closest to driving in F1. He rose to prominence in 2004 when he was awarded an F1 test drive with the BMW-Williams team after his landslide victory in the Asian Formula BMW Championship. He was the first Chinese to claim that honor.

After that, Tung, who picked up racing at 14, shone on the F3 circuit for three seasons from 2004-06. In 2005, he secured third place in the championship and the next year he topped the standings.

In 2007, he moved up to GP2, the division just below F1, and is now racing in the Super League in Europe.

"My experience, my general speed and my knowledge about the car have improved in recent years," said Tung, who competed in the Race of Champions (ROC) at the Bird's Nest in Beijing this week. "I learned a lot about car technology. Just the whole package as a driver, I've learned a lot."

At the ROC China challenge on Monday, Tung beat 15 other Chinese drivers to win the race and earned the right to represent the country in the National Cup on Tuesday. Paired with another Chinese driver, Han Han, Team China impressively reached the semifinals. Although beaten by Jenson Button, the newly-crowned F1 world champion, in the semis, Tung was happy with the result.

"It's great to race here. It's my first time in ROC and also in the Bird's Nest. It's a big honor to drive against the world's best," he said. "It's a great achievement as it's China's first participation in the event. I'm very proud of that and it's a very good experience."

Tuesday's effort was not the first time Tung earned glory for Chinese racing.

In 2007, he gave the country its first podium finish in the A1 Grand Prix series, a competition known as the "World Cup of Motorsport".

His name is registered with the Federation of Automobile Sports of China, therefore local companies are being targeted by Tung and his manager.

"We are working on getting some Chinese companies that are really interested in F1 because the value of F1 is still huge. I'm sure that there will be some companies who see that because China is changing as well," said Winkler.

"Tung has done well in different categories. He is stable and consistent. He knows the handling of the cars and gives good feedback to his team. He is of great value to his team and a lot of people have noticed that. I hope to get some more backup from Chinese companies and then I am sure he will get a ride in F1."

Tung is just waiting for the right opportunity to open up.

"F1 is still my dream. You have to take the opportunity when it is there and be ready when it's available. At the moment we are pushing hard," he said.