Korean International Circuit
34°43′58″N 126°23′32″E / 34.73278°N 126.39222°E
 | |
| Korean International Circuit | |
|---|---|
| Location | Yeongam County, South Jeolla, South Korea |
| Time zone | GMT +9 |
| Capacity | 135,000 |
| Owner | M-Bridge Holdings and Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) |
| Operator | Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) |
| Construction Cost | $264 million |
| Architect | Hermann Tilke |
| Major Events | Formula One Korean Grand Prix |
| Circuit Length | 5.621 km (3.493 mi) |
| Turns | 23 |
| Lap Record | 1:50.257 ( Fernando Alonso, Scuderia Ferrari, 2010, Formula One)
|
The Korean International Circuit is a racetrack being made in Yeongam County, South Jeolla Province, of South Korea. This is 400 kilometres from the capital, Seoul. This track will be 5.684 km long. This will be the longest track in Asia. The main purpose of this track will be Formula One (F1) races. F1 will race at this track for at least 7 years starting in 2010.[2] It will also be used for local races.
FIA approval
changeCharlie Whiting, technical delegate for the FIA completed a two-day inspection on 10 October 2010. While much of the circuit facilities are still under construction, the circuit itself is ready for Formula One racing.[3]
Special attention was given to the top layer of asphalt. This final layer was installed the week before the inspection.[4]
FIA rules normally require approval at least 90 days before the race. The FIA had to stretch their own rules to allow the Korean Grand Prix to take place.[3]
Track features
changeGerman designer Hermann Tilke designed the track. The track has two parts. One permanent part (3.047 km) will be used for local races. One temporary part (2.643 km) will be joined to the permanent part and be used for F1 races. The track has 18 corners.[1] The track will be next to a lake, so some people will be able to see the races from their boats.[2]
Initial reception
changeA number of problems were uncovered on the first day of practice. Drivers complained about the blind entrance to the pit lane. Jarno Trulli called it "very dangerous".[5][6] A number of cars have bottomed out at turn 16. Charlie Whiting has asked that the corner be changed.[5] The track was slippery and dusty. Lewis Hamilton said "It was the dirtiest circuit I have ever been on," and "It was so dusty it was incredible."[6] The problems with the turn 16 was fixed before the qualifying session the next day.
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Formula 1™ - The Official F1™ Website (2010 FORMULA 1 KOREAN GRAND PRIX)". formula1.com. Formula One Administration Ltd. Archived from the original on 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Furnell, Claire (November 2009). "Korean International Circuit | Formula 1 circuits | Korean International Circuit news and live F1 | ESPN F1". espnf1.com. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Korean F1 Grand Prix given go-ahead after inspection". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC. 2010-10-12. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
- ↑ "South Korean Grand Prix gets the go ahead". theglobeandmail.com. CTVglobemedia Publishing Inc. 2010-10-11. Archived from the original on 2010-10-14. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Holt, Sarah (2010-10-22). "F1 drivers criticise 'dangerous' new Korea track". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Drivers question Korea safety". uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. Yahoo! and Eurosport. Reuters. 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
Other websites
change
- Official site Archived 2020-03-08 at the Wayback Machine
- Formula One official Korean Grand Prix page Archived 2010-11-03 at the Wayback Machine