HRT to carry out young driver test at Silverstone next week with Ma Qing Hua

Formula 1 teams had failed to reach agreement for a single venue for the test, and only HRT, Williams and Marussia were believed to have plans to run at Silverstone while the rest of the squads test in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.

HRT confirmed it on the Friday of the British Grand Prix that it will run at the British track on Thursday and Friday next week.

"The fact that these tests will finally be able to take place at Silverstone is great news for us because it fits perfectly with the next step that we had planned for Ma Qing Hua's development programme," said team boss Luis Perez-Sala.

"In the last three months, we've been working with Ma on different aspects: testing on track with cars from different categories, carrying out tests on the simulator and working on specific physical preparation to be better prepared for this demanding challenge.

"We were aware of his ability but, once more, he has shown his professionalism, attitude and sensitivity, so we're sure that he will continue to progress as a driver in these Formula 1 tests."