Dutch-born driver Tung Ho-pin hit the headlines three years ago
when he became the first ethnic Chinese to race a Formula 1 car,
and he was in the spotlight again last weekend when he gave China
its first ever podium finish in the A1 Grand Prix series.
Tung finished third in his third race in A1, a competition known
as the "World Cup of Motorsport," giving Team China cause for
celebration for the first time since the competition started in
2005.
"Normally I would not be very happy with third place, but it is
very rewarding to be able to give China its first ever podium
finish, in only my third race in A1-GP Cup of Nations," said the
24-year-old.
"After the technical and tactical debrief with the team, and all
the public relations duties, it was party time in Sydney!"
China's previous best result was achieved by Cheng Congfu, who
finished fourth in the sprint race at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno
last October.
Team China is now ranked 11th out of the 23 teams with eight
points.
Tung was born in the Netherlands, and began racing at the age of
14. After dominating the Formula BMW series in 2003, he was awarded
with a test session in a BMW Williams Formula One car, becoming the
first Chinese to win this honor.
Tung drove in Formula 3 for three seasons. In 2005 he secured
third place in the championship, and the next year he finished top
of the standings.
In his victorious 2006 season, Tung achieved nine victories,
four pole positions and four fastest laps. He earned 145 points to
win the championship, which gave the young driver great
confidence.
"This year I had the chance to compete in the F3 series with
equal equipment to the other competitors. I have shown my potential
by winning nine races," Tung said after the final race.
"Together with my teammate Ferdinand Kool we won 10 out of 20
races for the JB Motorsport team. We started the season without
testing and with a new car. During the season we kept developing
the car and finally we could dominate the races and I had a great
season."
With his success in international racing, Tung says he is happy
to stay in A1, a feeling echoed by Team China.
At the Indonesia stop of the A1 GP last December, Tung was
invited to race for China for the first time, replacing Cheng
Congfu.
"It is a very big honor to represent China in the World Cup of
Motorsport," said Tung, whose parents are Chinese immigrants. "I
was asked to do the rookie session at Indonesia, but after that
they said I could race the whole weekend! I was very happy of
course!"
Although his nationality is Dutch, Tung is proud of his Chinese
roots.
"I am sure there is no driver that feels more Chinese than me,"
Tung told China Daily. "I was so proud last Sunday to be able to
climb the podium with the Chinese flag!"
After his podium finish Tung is expecting to extend his
cooperation with Team China.
"I hope to work with Team China for the whole season," he said.
"After scoring the first podium finish for A1 Team China I look
forward to trying to score the team's first victory! Everybody is
very motivated and the team did a great job."
(China Daily February 8, 2007)