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)