McLaren's links with China would appear to be strengthening, as the West sponsored team, like many of its rivals, continues to look east.

In addition to opening a Chinese version of its website, the Woking-based outfit has become the first team to run a Chinese driver in an F1 car.

WilliamsF1 ran 2003 Formula BMW Asia champion Ho-Ping Tung in a test at Jerez last year, but Tung was actually born in Holland.

Cheng Congfu, currently competing against Pitpass' Stephen Simpson in the Formula Renault UK Championship, was born in China, and is therefore the first Chinese driver to drive an F1 car.

Congfu gave a demonstration run at a West promotion at Brno in the Czech Republic yesterday, Tuesday.

Having begun his motorsport career in Karts, Congfu took part in the British F-Ford Winter Series in 2001, going on to win the Chinese Formula Renault Championship in 2002. Following a season in British F3, he moved to the Formula Renault UK Championship this year.

Last year, Congfu was recruited to the Team McLaren Mercedes driver development programme.