Korean Grand Prix 2013

[phil1993]

Korean Grand Prix
Round 14 of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship
Race distance: 55 laps (55 laps too long)

Timetable (BST)
Practice 1 Fri 02:00
Practice 2 Fri 06:00
Practice 3 Sat 03:00
Qualifying Sat 06:00
Race Sun 07:00

From the country that has got it right, to one that has got it terribly wrong. It's the fourth edition of the Korean Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel has led all but 10 laps of racing at the circuit and won in 2011 and 2012.

I always try and be optimistic about this one but it's on far too early, the circuit is pretty awful (well, the circuit surroundings) and I had to watch the race edits of 2011/2012 to remember what happened in each race. The first lap usually provides some action, but that's about it.

The race is still running up massive debts for the organisers and may well be dropped in 2015. It's still on the 2014 calendar for now.

There is, however, a cool bridge

[Joey Zyla]

Someone really hates Vettel...

[F1EA]

I like playing this track in F1 2012....

[phil1993]

Someone really hates Vettel...

Why? I like Seb.

[mikhailv]

Its the first time I have ever voted Sebastien Vettel. I always vote Fernando, mostly out of blind hope. I have zero hope and concede that the rocketship will win every race remaining.

[Joey Zyla]

Someone really hates Vettel...

Why? I like Seb.

The first post in this thread made it seem as if you didn't really want him to win.

I don't understand why you say the circuit is "pretty awful", sure it hasn't had any spectacular races yet but I really do think it's an interesting circuit. The three sectors might as well be three different circuits altogether - the first is made up of long straights leading in to tight corners which require the driver to brake as late as possible without locking up or going too far wide, the second sector is consists of fast, flowing corners where getting in to a good rhythm is key - almost like a faster version of the Hungaroring's second sector - and going off the racing line will lose you lots of time. The final sector is a lot like a street circuit, with barriers close to the track and lots of ninety-degree corners. And then there's that awesome last/second-last corner. The pit entry and exit could have been given more thought, though.

I kind of think of Yeongam and New Delhi in the same category, tracks that haven't produced great races yet, but almost certainly will in the future.

[phil1993]

But there's no penalty for getting it wrong, there's so much run-off. It could have been so much better just with a bit more thought.

There's so many better circuits in the world

[Joey Zyla]

But there's no penalty for getting it wrong, there's so much run-off. It could have been so much better just with a bit more thought.

There's so many better circuits in the world

Most (Formula One) circuits have tons of run-off these days though.

[Reventon]

Vettel"s track. Easy win for Vettel.

[phil1993]

But there's no penalty for getting it wrong, there's so much run-off. It could have been so much better just with a bit more thought.

There's so many better circuits in the world

Most (Formula One) circuits have tons of run-off these days though.

Yeah, there's just something about Korea for me though. It's such a big market and they really screwed it up. No-one in the paddock enjoys going, whatever they may say.

[donald29]

3 years on and no sign of the city they were going to build around the circuit...

There is a Top Gear Korea (Google the helicopter crash). I don't know if it's widely watched, but for them to star the show suggests an appetite for cars and motoring. So why hasn't the Grand Prix taken off? I agree with Phil. It's odd this has been such a failure.

On another note, 3 dominant wins in a row, 6 races left. Teams focussing on 2014. Vettel equalling Ascari's consecutive wins record does not seem a wild fantasy...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fo ... utive_wins

[donald29]

Accidental post.

[F1EA]

I guess "build it and they will come" doesnt work in Korea.

It's not a bad track... if only it wasn't Joey up there, i would have agreed with him
LOL jk ;)

But yea... i like the track. Korea and China are pretty cool tracks. But the atmosphere is appalling. F1 might as well do something interesting for these tracks to attract some kind of attention...each team must race with a rival's driver on their sidepods. Let's see who wins... they'll probably DQ Alonso/Webber for having ran an illegal extra test session.

On a less serious note... Vettel will cruise it (but i won't vote in the poll). MAYBE sone threat from the Mercs, who should do better than in Singapore.

I may watch a few laps.

[Treacle]

I say Vettel will have a DNF next to his name. You know, just to break the monotony of the posts.

I think the whole problem with the Asian tracks is that people don't really seem to care about F1 in that region - well, except for Japan -, and the whole weekend looks like it's held in a ghost town... That must be quite disheartening for the drivers and the teams.

[mikhailv]

I say Vettel will have a DNF next to his name. You know, just to break the monotony of the posts.

I think the whole problem with the Asian tracks is that people don't really seem to care about F1 in that region - well, except for Japan -, and the whole weekend looks like it's held in a ghost town... That must be quite disheartening for the drivers and the teams.

hubba hubba hubba, money money money!



Thats all bernie see's and its his job to.