Ma set for WTCC exit, eyeing Formula E future
Chinese WTCC racer Ma Qing Hua is unlikely to remain in the championship next year, and says he is targeting a Formula E seat as his next career step.
Citroën Communication
Ma made his WTCC debut last year in a part-season for the works Citroen squad, before stepping up to a full-time campaign this year in a car run by Sebastien Loeb Racing on behalf of the French manufacturer.
He finished fourth in this year’s standings behind fellow Citroen drivers Jose Maria Lopez, Yvan Muller and Loeb, taking victory in the second race at Vila Real, but is unlikely to return in 2016.
“The opportunity to return to the WTCC is relatively small,” Ma told Motorsport.com, ruling out any chance of continuing in the series with Sebastien Loeb Racing.
“But racing in an FIA championship is my priority, for my sponsor and media exposure.
“I think LMP2 [in WEC] could be an option, as I am a rookie in sportscars and some of the teams have manufacturer links.
“But to be honest, our main focus is on Formula E. The street race-based format and technical nature of the car make it appealing.”
Season two Formula E entry?
Ma’s Citroen ties make DS Virgin Racing the most obvious choice of team, but with Sam Bird and Jean-Eric Vergne already in place, the Chinese driver may be forced to look elsewhere.
"DS Virgin was the target, but now it is difficult, as the team itself is responsible for choosing the drivers, not Citroen,” explained Ma.
“We also approached other teams, and we are hoping to enter part of the 2015-2016 season.”
Motorsport.com understands that the Chinese-owned NEXTEV TCR squad, which took Nelson Piquet Jr to the inaugural Formula E title, is not an option for Ma.
Interview by Jun Qian
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Yamamoto 'never imagined' scoring podium on injury comeback in Super Formula
Pourchaire “worried” for Super Formula prospects after nightmare debut
How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner
Ma to miss Berlin FE races due to travel restrictions
Chinese Formula E racer Ma in 14-day quarantine in Mexico
Rebranded NIO team signs Ma, Turvey for 2019/20 season
The reunited Formula E partnership that could finally flourish
Envision Virgin reveals first two-seater electric formula car
Powell joins Envision Virgin as Formula E sim driver
Mercedes becomes first F1 team to exceed £500m turnover
Red Bull’s 2026 F1 engine project “hitting the targets”, says Horner
IndyCar tweaks split practice format for Long Beach
NASCAR Euro recap: "The Big One" erupts in Valencia
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments