Ma Qing Hua will become the first Chinese driver to take part in a Formula One grand prix when he replaces Indian Narain Karthikeyan at the wheel of an HRT in free practice at Monza on Saturday.
The Shanghai-born 24-year-old will take part in the morning session at the Italian GP, the final European round of the season, and then hand the car back to Karthikeyan who will race on Monday.
Qing Hua earned his mandatory FIA super licence after completing 483.062 km in a young driver test at Silverstone in July.
He has also spent time in a simulator and accompanied the team to races.
China has hosted a grand prix in Shanghai since 2004 but, with motor racing in its infancy in the country, has yet to find a home-grown talent good enough to race in Formula One.
