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S. Korean F1 track passes FIA inspection
Source: Agencies |
October 13, 2010, Wednesday
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THE Korean Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled this month after Formula One officials gave their approval yesterday following a track inspection.
The FIA's technical delegate Charlie Whiting performed the inspection on Monday and today, with particular attention paid to the final layer of track that had been laid at the Yeongam circuit last week.
"It is satisfactory, and I will issue the license through (Korea Automobile Racing Association)," Whiting said in a statement released by the local organizers.
New aerial photographs released on Monday showed the main grandstand, plus pit and paddock areas as apparently complete. However much of the remainder of the circuit still resembled a building site, with time running out before the race on October 24 race and the first appearance of F1 cars on track on October 22.
At the end of September, F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone had expressed doubts about whether the race could proceed, with a September 21 inspection called off.
In extending the time given to complete the track before the inspection, the FIA had to stretch its own rules which said tracks should be given approval more than 90 days before the race takes place.
Local organizers had blamed bad weather for the delays in completing the circuit, built on marshland near the coast in South Korea's southwest.
The go-ahead for the race means there are three races to go this season. Red Bull's Mark Webber leads the championship by 14 points from teammate Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hold the next two spots, and would be relieved Korea will go ahead, as they would have stood little chance of making up enough points in just two races.
KARA chairman Chung Yung-cho was relieved at the FIA approval.
"We are delighted that all works are now finished to the complete satisfaction of the FIA, and we join the whole of Korea in welcoming the Formula 1 fraternity to the Korea International Circuit for the first time," Chung said.
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