Eventually, in order to make Ma's progress easier, the family invested in a karting track located in Quyang.

Ma was added to the HRT F1 driver development programme on 5 April 2012,[3] and made history as the first China-born driver to drive a Formula One car at an FIA-sanctioned event, a milestone described as "heralding an important step for Chinese motorsport".

[7] In 2013 Chinese Grand Prix, he replaced Charles Pic to participate in FP1 and became the first Chinese driver to drive at his home Grand Prix session, but he was about 1.5 seconds off the pace to his teammate Giedo van der Garde and out of the 107% reference time to the quickest driver in Free Practice 1.

Soon after the 2013 Chinese Grand Prix, Caterham team claimed that he would be replaced by Alexander Rossi for the rest of the 2013 season.

Later he was diagnosed with gastroenteritis leading to extreme dehydration by the medical team on track at Sepang and would not start the sprint race.

He was given a full time seat for 2015 and won the second round of the Race of Portugal and finish 4th in the drivers championship.

He has signed for Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Motorsport and will partner Lu Wei in the six-event series.

[16] On 22 February 2022, it was announced that Ma Qinghua has joined reigning world champions Lynk & Co Cyan Racing to race a Lynk & Co 03 TCR in the 2022 FIA World Touring Car Cup.