China's Ma wary of challenge posed by Singapore race

For Ma Qinghua, Singapore's grand prix is tricky, and not just because it will be the first time the Shanghai-born driver is taking to a street circuit for a Formula One event.

The Republic's heat and humidity, and the timing of the race - it is the only night race on the F1 calendar - plus the twisty, bumpy track's degree of difficulty all place huge demands on drivers.

Ma, 24, is the first F1 driver from China to play a part in a Grand Prix weekend. He first drove in the free practice session at the Monza race earlier this month.

He said in a media session on Tuesday: "It will be the first time I've driven on a street circuit and at night, so it will be a whole new experience.

"Singapore is a very difficult track and does not allow any room for mistakes.

"What's more important for me now is not to get a good timing, but to get more practice and clock more mileage."