Korean GP, ​​Yeongam: Weekend preview and schedule

Third last round of the 2010 Formula 1 world championship in terra incognita. Next weekend the four-wheeled cicus will land on the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam for the first edition of the Korean Grand Prix.

South Korea therefore enters the world championship calendar, even if the gestation that led to this Grand Prix was very long and full of obstacles. After months of speculation and rumors, in October 2006 Bernie Ecclestone and the South Korean authorities announced that they had reached an agreement to organize a Grand Prix to be held in 2010.

Construction work on the Korean International Circuit began in the late summer of 2007, but it seemed clear from the start that it would go very slowly, so much so that the last layer of asphalt was deposited just a few days ago and the approval by of FIA officials led by Charlie Whiting only arrived earlier this week.

The track, which cost 264 million dollars, is located near the port city of Mokpo in the Yeongam province, in the South Jeolla region in the southern part of South Korea. As has also happened with other modern circuits, the designer of the system is was the German architect Tilke. The circuit is divided into two parts: one temporary and the other permanent and it is from the union of the two that the complete design of the track that will host Formula 1 emerges.

The circuit is characterized by a first part consisting of a very long straight that ends with a sharp braking followed by another, shorter stretch that leads into a series of more or less rapid corners to be tackled at an almost continuous pace.

A Formula 1 that is expanding to other shores therefore, and in recent days the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has announced that he has reached an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone for a Russian Grand Prix to be held in 2014. The track should cost approximately 200 million dollars, a project obviously supported by Tilke. Location still not certain, but there is talk of Sochi on the Black Sea, which among other things will also host the Winter Olympics in 2014.

Formula 1 arrives in Korea after a Japanese Grand Prix dominated since Friday's free practice by Red Bull. Vettel and Webber prevailed in both qualifying and the race, taking their third double of the season. Fernando Alonso took the third step of the podium and, fresh from two victories in Monza and Singapore, achieved a good result to keep his world championship hopes alive.

However, persecuted by bad luck, Lewis Hamilton who qualified third was first relegated by five positions due to the replacement of the gearbox, and then in the race while he was fourth in the final stages of the Grand Prix he had to leave the position to teammate Button again due to problems with the exchange.

The misfortune that happened to Robert Kubica was hilarious when, a few laps after the start, he lost his right rear wheel because it wasn't screwed on by the mechanics on the starting grid. Felipe Massa's position, however, is tragic. Massa's race ended at the first corner when with an inexplicable maneuver he cut the inside curb and fell back onto the track, hitting the innocent Liuzzi.

The Brazilian driver is under pressure due to the increasingly merciless criticism that the press has been giving him lately. Massa's bad mood is also evident from the statements he released somewhat carelessly to the newspapers. Something has broken in the relationship between Massa and the little horse and the rumors of an imminent separation are increasingly insistent, even if in the last few hours Ferrari has publicly expressed its support for Massa who thanked the team.

In recent days there has also been talk about the future of the top series, in particular the details of the FOTA meeting which was held in the Suzuka paddock emerged. The various team principals appear to have discussed the possibility of reducing the race weekends to just two days, therefore abolishing Fridays. Although such a prospect could cause economic losses to plant operators.

We then arrive in Korea with five drivers still competing for the world championship. The Japanese Grand Prix gave new life to the Red Bull duo and to Vettel in particular who is now equal on points with Ferrari driver Alonso. McLaren's situation in the standings is more worrying, although team principal Martin Whitmarsh has warned his rivals not to make the mistake of considering the Woking team out of contention.

Since the Korean circuit is an unknown for everyone, we must expect very "crowded" free practice sessions during which many will try to understand how to best set up the car. History has shown us that usually the best team is the one that goes faster than everyone else once it arrives on an unknown circuit.

At the end of the Korean Grand Prix the teams will take a few days off before tackling the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, one after the other. If in Carioca land Ferrari seems to have a few more margins over its opponents, in the Middle East Red Bull should dominate again. Obviously, McLaren's reaction should not be underestimated, eager to make amends after the last unhappy races.

Domenico Della Valle

INFO
Circuit length: 5,621 km
Laps to go: 55
Total distance: 309,155km
Number of curves: 18 – 9 right, 9 left
Bridgestone compounds: soft/hard

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Hall of Fame

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The times of the Korean Grand Prix

Friday October 22
10:00-11:30 (03:00-04:30) Prove Libere 1
14:00-15:30 (07:00-08:30) Prove Libere 2

Saturday October 23
11:00-12:00 (04:00-05:00) Prove Libere 3
14pm-00pm (15pm-00pm) Qualifying – Rai Due

Saturday October 24
15pm (00pm) Race – Rai Uno