South Korean GP 2010

This forum gives you a chance to be able to communicate with your fellow F1 fans.

Will the race go ahead?

Poll ended at 14 Sep 2010, 16:02

Yes
12
80%
No
3
20%
 
Total votes: 15

User avatar
iceman1
F1 Legend
F1 Legend
Posts: 23702
Joined: 16 Sep 2006, 15:50
Location: North Pole
Contact:

South Korean GP 2010

Post by iceman1 » 31 Aug 2010, 14:30

F1Fanatic wrote:The Korean International Circuit is “90% complete” according to the race promoters.

It will hold its first event on Saturday with Karun Chandhok doing a demonstration run in a Red Bull.

The circuit will host the inaugural Korean Grand Prix on October 24th.
Ecclestone confident Korea will be ready
YallaF1.com wrote:Bernie Ecclestone insists he is confident Korea will be ready to host its inaugural formula one race in October.

Envoys from some teams recently visited the Yeongam site, and were dismayed to find that the track asphalt has not yet been laid, while trackside buildings were not even close to being finished.

“What concerned me most was that in the photos I saw, there were very few people working,” Eddie Jordan is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

The track is due to open next weekend, and Red Bull is sending a demonstration car for Karun Chandhok to drive. “If there is no asphalt, it might be a short demonstration,” smiled team boss Christian Horner.

However, it was rumoured late on Saturday at Spa-Francorchamps that the track surface in Korea is now being laid, and some insiders believe there is time for it to correctly dry and cure.

When asked about the event, F1 chief executive Ecclestone answered ambiguously: “It is still on the calendar.” Asked if he would bet on the Korean GP taking place on October 24, he added: “Yes, I would. They will get it done somehow.”

And Ecclestone played down rumours that, to preserve the 19-race nature of the 2010 title chase, another circuit will be drafted in should Korea not be ready. He said: “Tell me the name of the (replacement) place and who’s paying for it.”
Tilke insists Korea will be ready for GP
YallaF1.com wrote:Hermann Tilke on Sunday backed reports that Korea will be ready to host its inaugural formula one race in October.

Earlier at Spa-Francorchamps, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone played down the rumours about lagging construction at Yeongam, as photos depicting asphalt finally being laid did the rounds in the paddock.

“Korea will be ready,” F1′s regular track architect Tilke is quoted by Williams’ official website.

“I’ve read some negative stories in the press and I can tell you that we’ll be there on 24 October. The weather has delayed construction a bit, but we’re on schedule to get everything finished on time,” added the German.


The Korea Auto Valley Operation released images showing the race control, pits and other buildings around the track :
ImageImageImageImageImage

User avatar
phil1993
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 25503
Joined: 29 Sep 2007, 17:32
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by phil1993 » 31 Aug 2010, 15:21

FIA breaking own rules to make Korean GP happen

ADAM COOPER
Adam Cooper wrote: The FIA is being forced to break its own rules to allow the Korean GP to take place – and is thus setting a precedent that other venues might take advantage of in the future.

In addition the FIA’s rules clearly state that if this year’s race is cancelled at the last minute, it won’t be allowed back on to the 2011 calendar, as a form of penalty.

Although the cars due to head out for first practice on October 22, the track surface has not been completed. Despite that Karun Chandhok is still scheduled to do a demonstration for Red Bull on September 4-5. One FIA source said this week there appeared to be “no way” that run could actually happen.

The FIA’s Appendix O to the International Sporting Code, which governs circuits, clearly states that the final inspection should have taken place 90 days beforehand. If Thursday is deemed the start of the event, that deadline was July 22.

The rules also specify a deadline of 60 days for international events, but even on that more generous measure – one that the governing body is (or was) prepared to use for a Grand Prix in this instance – this inspection should have been completed by August 21.

The relevant regulation reads as follows: “On site inspections will be performed by the Commission’s delegates as necessary, with at least one preliminary inspection and one final inspection. For permanent circuits, the final inspection should be made not later than 60 days (or 90 days for FIA Formula One World Championship events) before the first international event to be held, at which inspection all work relating to the track surface, permanent features and safety installations should be completed to the FIA’s satisfaction.”

It’s accepted that there is bound to be a job list for new circuits after a final inspection, but that usually involves details such positioning of gravel traps and barriers, pit lane arrangements, and so on. An incomplete track surface would seem to be an extreme case…

Clearly there are sound reasons why the FIA specifies these deadlines, since the governing body has a lot of experience, specifically with regard to readiness of the actual track surface. There is obviously now a risk that the surface will be finished in such a hurry that it won’t be fit enough to receive a pounding from 24 F1 cars come October. There is also a danger that, if it is not up to scratch after being completed in a hurry, it could be damaged over its first winter.

Meanwhile one leading team told this blog at Spa that the kitchens of the team hospitality units – which they usually expect to come fully equipped, especially at a new Tilke circuit – have a pipe for cold water, and another for hot. It really is a case of bringing everything, including the kitchen sink…

Bernie Ecclestone continues to insist that all will be well. He’s understandably keen for the race to go ahead, given the commercial implications of a late cancellation, although the accepted wisdom is that in such circumstances the promoters would have to pay their sanctioning fee with or without a race (although that may or may not be affected by who makes the call). It’s not hard to imagine that Bernie is forcing the FIA’s hand here to ensure the race happens.

The rules do not specify what might happen if inspection deadlines are not met, but while vague, they put the decision process into the hands of the World Motor Sport Council, rather than Ecclestone: “It is understood that the organisation of an international event may not be allowed if the required work has not been fully carried out according to the schedule established by the inspector. The FIA (or its World Motor Sport Council) is entitled to allow any international events on a circuit or, if the directions of the Commission have not been complied with, to prohibit them.”

One presumes that Korea could be on the agenda at next WMSC week’s meeting in Italy, after Chandhok’ s scheduled run, so the success or otherwise of that could be key to the discussions.

The World Council might also like to consider the following extract from the F1 Sporting Regulations: “An Event which is cancelled with less than three months written notice to the FIA will not be considered for inclusion in the following year’s Championship unless the FIA judges the cancellation to have been due to force majeure.”

In other words there will be no race in 2011 either. It might be hard for Korea to come up with a suitable excuse, so there’s clearly a lot at stake here. Over to you, M Todt…

User avatar
swca92
F1 Driver
F1 Driver
Posts: 2441
Joined: 26 Jan 2008, 21:24
Location: Enfield, London

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by swca92 » 31 Aug 2010, 15:54

Another time the FIA broke their own rules was in Dallas in 1984, when the rule was that they had to have tested and had a race on the track beforehand. The track then crumbled to bits in the race, proving the effectiveness of the rule the FIA didn't bother to impose.

The Korean track people saying that the race will be on time reminds me of what the Donnington Park people were saying. They claimed everything was rosy and blatantly lied as they didn't have two pennies to rub together. I can see parallels here frankly.

User avatar
phil1993
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 25503
Joined: 29 Sep 2007, 17:32
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by phil1993 » 31 Aug 2010, 16:47

According to Adam Hay Nicholls (Metro), Bernie is in negotiations with Losail over a night race to replace Korea. He already contacted Aragon but they said no.

User avatar
iceman1
F1 Legend
F1 Legend
Posts: 23702
Joined: 16 Sep 2006, 15:50
Location: North Pole
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by iceman1 » 31 Aug 2010, 16:55

phil1993 wrote:According to Adam Hay Nicholls (Metro), Bernie is in negotiations with Losail over a night race to replace Korea. He already contacted Aragon but they said no.
But Qatar isn't ready to host a GP even in 2011, the races would be poor if F1 went there. We already have Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

User avatar
phil1993
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 25503
Joined: 29 Sep 2007, 17:32
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by phil1993 » 31 Aug 2010, 17:02

iceman1 wrote:
phil1993 wrote:According to Adam Hay Nicholls (Metro), Bernie is in negotiations with Losail over a night race to replace Korea. He already contacted Aragon but they said no.
But Qatar isn't ready to host a GP even in 2011, the races would be poor if F1 went there. We already have Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
I know, but if money talks...

User avatar
Zack
Co-Admin
Co-Admin
Posts: 4153
Joined: 27 Jun 2007, 15:26
Location: Bombay
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by Zack » 31 Aug 2010, 17:07

Expect India to fall in same category .. *reality* :zz:

btw .. Which Redbull is Karun Chandok going to test?
Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings PEACE -Buddha
There is no point in defining a point... But there is a point in trying -Zack

ImageImage
[Videos]

Donate & support us
-ZACK- IO

User avatar
saif
F1 Rookie
F1 Rookie
Posts: 971
Joined: 04 May 2010, 09:36
Location: Temporary Dunya
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by saif » 31 Aug 2010, 17:54

Zack wrote:Expect India to fall in same category .. *reality* :zz:
i agree :(
Whats the purpose of life? Is Life Just A Game? Find out the answers: http://www.OneReason.org/

http://www.twitter.com/saifsultan

User avatar
Ferrariman60
F1 Routinier
F1 Routinier
Posts: 4542
Joined: 01 Jan 2009, 20:55
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by Ferrariman60 » 31 Aug 2010, 18:05

Zack wrote:
btw .. Which Redbull is Karun Chandok going to test?
Chandhok will drive an RB1 fitted with 2009 spec wings/tires.

I think the teams will show up in Korea, but what happens next is anyone's guess. Maybe it will be a repeat of Indy 2005... :roll::
Requiescat in pace, Jules Bianchi


Ferrariman60

Mitsuro Sano
GP2 Driver
GP2 Driver
Posts: 462
Joined: 18 Mar 2008, 20:58

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by Mitsuro Sano » 31 Aug 2010, 22:37

Ferrariman60 wrote:
Zack wrote:
btw .. Which Redbull is Karun Chandok going to test?
Chandhok will drive an RB1 fitted with 2009 spec wings/tires.

I think the teams will show up in Korea, but what happens next is anyone's guess. Maybe it will be a repeat of Indy 2005... :roll::
Or Estoril 1997

User avatar
phil1993
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 25503
Joined: 29 Sep 2007, 17:32
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by phil1993 » 03 Sep 2010, 05:41

Not sure when it was taken
Image

User avatar
François
F1 Driver
F1 Driver
Posts: 1479
Joined: 05 Sep 2009, 18:39

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by François » 03 Sep 2010, 05:45

Ugh, looks like there's quite a bit of work left. Hopefully this is an old picture. :(
Image

User avatar
phil1993
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 25503
Joined: 29 Sep 2007, 17:32
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by phil1993 » 03 Sep 2010, 10:30

That picture was taken on 30th August.

User avatar
wasiF1
car driver
car driver
Posts: 8
Joined: 10 Mar 2010, 17:47
Location: Bangladesh
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by wasiF1 » 03 Sep 2010, 10:49

It will go on but will all the facilities promise will continue I doubt that.Korean F1 track aerial photo emerges http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... aerial.jpg

User avatar
phil1993
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 25503
Joined: 29 Sep 2007, 17:32
Contact:

Re: South Korean GP 2010

Post by phil1993 » 03 Sep 2010, 13:01

Adam Cooper has raised some interesting points:

The FIA’s Charlie Whiting is to conduct a final inspection of Korea when he stops off on his way to the Singapore GP.

September 21 is exactly 30 days before the start of the event – which the FIA decrees to be the Thursday of the actual race meeting – rather than the 90 that the rules officially specify (see earlier story).

Meanwhile a photo passed to me by a reader shows an interesting overview of the track. While the outline appears to be complete it’s not clear which parts already have the definitive top surface, and certainly the section on the right appears to need some work.

More worrying is the mess that the surroundings are in, and while he is pushing for it to happen it remains to be seen how Bernie Ecclestone will feel about TV viewers watching a race through a building site.

If the race is cancelled after Whiting’s inspection it will be at considerable inconvenience to everyone in F1 since both freight and team personnel will already have started on a round trip that takes in Singapore, Suzuka and Korea. It leaves very little time to re-route everything.

We also wait to see if the World Motor Sport Council has anything to say about Korea next week. As previously noted if this year’s race is cancelled then it can’t appear on next year’s calendar. At least that’s what the rules say…

We may know a little more after Karun Chandhok drives the Red Bull demo car there tomorrow.

Post Reply