2010 Korean GP at risk of cancellation

The first Korean Grand Prix could be cancelled, according to a German media report.

Focus magazine claims the circuit under construction in Yeongam, about 400km south of the capital Seoul, may not be completed in time for its first race scheduled for the end of October.

Amid rumors of serious construction problems, the article reported that Bernie Ecclestone, the executive director of F1, went straight to South Korea after last Sunday's Malaysian GP.

The 79-year-old will decide in the next few days whether or not to cancel the race; this would reduce the 2010 calendar from the record number of 19 events to 18.

Hermann Tilke's company, now regularly in F1, is responsible for the design of the circuit, but unlike many of his other projects, this time in Korea the German architect is only an advisor for the construction.

"For the first time I'm worried that a circuit isn't finished in time," he is reported to have said.

Focus claims that a possible consequence for the Grand Prix, despite the fact that tickets for the October 24 race are already on sale, is a postponement of a year.

Cristina Boldrin