Korean Grand Prix
| Korea International Circuit | |
 | |
| Race information | |
|---|---|
| Number of times held | 3 |
| First held | 2010 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Sebastian Vettel (2) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Red Bull (2) |
| Circuit length | 5.615 km (3.48 miles) |
| Race length | 308.825 km (191.4 miles) |
| Laps | 55 |
| Last race (2012) | |
| Pole position | |
| |
| Podium | |
| |
| Fastest lap | |
| |
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 Korea 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]
Future
Organisers of the Korean Grand Prix have expressed dissatisfaction over the terms of their contract with Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management, particularly with regards to the cost of race-sanctioning fees, and have sought to renegotiate the contract, seeking more-favourable terms.[10][11] However, Ecclestone ruled out renegotiations, stating that the initial negotiation process had been difficult enough, and that the organisers were aware of the terms of the contract when they first signed it. Ecclestone has stated that in the event that race organisers can not pay sanctioning fees, the Korean Grand Prix will be removed from the calendar.[12] The final calendar released in December kept the Korean Grand Prix intact.[13] Shortly after the Australian Grand Prix, organisers of the race in Korea announced that they had reached a new deal with Formula One Management that would save $20.5 million (₩23 billion) in costs.[14] However, Kang Hyo-seok, director of race organisation for the Korean Grand Prix, admitted that the race was still far too expensive for Korea, anticipating an estimated loss of $26 million (₩29 billion) in 2012.
Winners
Multiple winners (drivers)
| # Wins | Driver | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Sebastian Vettel
|
2011, 2012, 2013 |
Multiple winners (constructors)
| # Wins | Constructor | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Red Bull
|
2011, 2012, 2013 |
By year
All Korean Grand Prix were held at Yeongam.
| Year | Driver | Constructor | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sebastian Vettel
|
Red Bull-Renault | Report |
| 2011 | Sebastian Vettel
|
Red Bull-Renault | Report |
| 2010 |  Fernando Alonso
|
Ferrari | Report |
See also
- Korea Super Prix, Formula Three race held annually in Korea between 1999 and 2003
References
- ^ "Korean Grand Prix set for 2010". manipef1.com. 2006-10-02.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (2009-09-18). "South Korea still pushing for 2010 race". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
- ^ Elizalde, Pablo (2009-09-21). "FIA announces 19-race 2010 calendar". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (2009-12-10). "Korean GP preparations on target". Autosport.com. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ "autosport.com". Autosport.
- ^ "autosport.com". Autosport.
- ^ "Korean GP inspection set for October 11 | Korean Grand Prix | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1". En.espnf1.com. 2010-09-29. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
- ^ "Korean Grand Prix given go-ahead". BBC News. 2010-10-12.
- ^ "autosport.com - F1 News: Korean track hailed by F1 drivers". Autosport.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (18 October 2011). "Korea seeks to renegotiate GP contract". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (18 October 2011). "Q & A with Korean Grand Prix promoter Won-Hwa Park". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (27 October 2011). "Bernie Ecclestone casts doubt on future of Korean GP". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- ^ Collantine, Keith (7 December 2011). "United States Grand Prix remains on unchanged 2012 F1 calendar". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ^ Oh Kyu-wook (18 March 2012). "South Jeolla cuts costs for F1 Grand Prix". The Korea Herald. Park Haeng-hwan. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
External links
