Korean Grand Prix
| Korean International Circuit | |
 |
|
| Race information | |
| Laps | 55 |
|---|---|
| Circuit length | 5.615 km (3.48 mi) |
| Race length | 308.825 km (191.4 mi) |
| Number of times held | 2 |
| First held | 2010 |
| Last held | 2011 |
| Last race (2011): | |
| Pole position |  Lewis HamiltonMcLaren-Mercedes 1:35.820 |
| Podium | 1.  Sebastian VettelRed Bull-Renault 1h 38m 01.994s 2. Lewis HamiltonMcLaren-Mercedes +12.019s 3.  Mark WebberRed Bull-Renault +12.477s |
| Fastest lap | Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:39.605 |
The Korean Grand Prix (Korean: 코리아 그랑프리) is a Formula One race held in South Korea. After months of speculation, on October 2, 2006 it was confirmed that the event would actually take place in 2010, and would be hosted by the Korean International Circuit. It has also been revealed that the race will be promoted by a public-private company. The deal is for seven years with a five year option that would ensure the race to be held until 2021.[1]
Despite this earlier confirmation, the South Korean Grand Prix was not included on any of the provisional 2010 calendars floated by Formula One Management. Following approval of funding for the event,[2] however, Korea was given the date of 17 October on the 2010 calendar published by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) on 21 September 2009.[3] On December 10, 2009, the organisers of the event announced that they were on schedule, with a plan to finish the circuit on July 5, 2010, though they admitted that their largest problem lay in finding accommodation for all Formula One staff and spectators.[4] The organisers also ruled out the possibility of staging the race at night until they have more knowledge of and experience in running a Grand Prix. Despite all the confirmation there was still a risk that the circuit might not be on time,[5] however this was denied by the race promoter who said that the circuit was ahead of schedule.[6]
After several postponements, the FIA scheduled a final inspection of the circuit on 11 October 2010, 13 days before the Korean Grand Prix was scheduled to begin.[7] After the FIA inspection, Race Director Charlie Whiting declared that the race would go ahead.[8]
Formula One drivers commented positively on the new circuit before the race weekend got under way, with several commenting that it looks like an interesting, challenging track.[9]
Contents |
[edit] Future
Doubt has been cast on the future of the event at Yeongam after the event organisers expressed a desire to renegotiate the terms of their contract;[10] Bernie Ecclestone however suggested that the contract would not be negotiated, and if the organisers could not afford the current deal, the matter would be over.[11]
[edit] Winners
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Location | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sebastian Vettel |
Red Bull-Renault | Yeongam | Report |
| 2010 |  Fernando Alonso |
Ferrari | Yeongam | Report |
[edit] See also
- Korea Super Prix, Formula Three race held annually in Korea between 1999 and 2003
[edit] References
- ^ "Korean Grand Prix set for 2010". manipef1.com. 2006-10-02. http://www.manipef1.com/news/articles/3060/.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (2009-09-18). "South Korea still pushing for 2010 race". autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78700. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ Elizalde, Pablo (2009-09-21). "FIA announces 19-race 2010 calendar". autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78775. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (2009-12-10). "Korean GP preparations on target". Autosport.com. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80516. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ "autosport.com". Autosport. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82834.
- ^ "autosport.com". Autosport. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82838.
- ^ http://en.espnf1.com/korea/motorsport/story/29718.html
- ^ "Korean Grand Prix given go-ahead". BBC News. 2010-10-12. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9081589.stm.
- ^ "autosport.com - F1 News: Korean track hailed by F1 drivers". Autosport. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87573.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (2011-10-18). "Korea seeks to renegotiate GP contract". autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95498. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (2011-10-27). "Bernie Ecclestone casts doubt on future of Korean GP". autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95703. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Korean Grand Prix |
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