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Drivers’ concerns prompt changes to Korea track

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Drivers’ concerns prompt changes to Korea track

After today’s practice session for the inaugural Korean Grand Prix, the drivers have expressed their concerns about the Yeognam circuit layout, with the pitlane entry worrying them, forcing Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, to make changes.

 
The entry to the pits comes on the final turn of the lap on a blind corner, and the drivers believe it will be dangerous when a car slows down to pit while others stay out on the track going at full speed.

 
Reigning world champion Jenson Button said it is “scary” when approaching the corner. “The only worry I have is the pit entry, which is a bit dangerous. It's a little bit scary,” he said. “It's a horrible position to be in. What can you do when there's someone right up behind you? You're not going to stay out for another lap.”

 
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, currently 14 points behind championship leader and teammate Mark Webber, says it would be “difficult.”

 
“The pit entry is quite on the edge because it is blind,” he said. “You cannot see if someone goes in [to the pits], and they have to go slower than someone who stays out. If you are behind someone trying to pass and he chooses to pit, it could be difficult.”

 
Following discussions at a drivers’ briefing, race director Charlie Whiting agreed that changes should be made to the areas that were causing the most concerns, with turn 16 mentioned as well as the pitlane entry.

 
Before the meeting, Lotus driver Jarno Trulli was critical of the fact that the drivers were not informed of the design. “They don't even ask us anything about circuit layout. Nothing,” he said.

 
While the drivers were sharing their woes with the media, some action did take place, and Lewis Hamilton and Webber were the fastest drivers in practice one and two respectively.

 
McLaren driver Hamilton set a time of one minute, 40.887seconds, and was quicker than Robert Kubica (1.40:968s) and Nico Rosberg (1.41:152s).

 
Webber led the standings in practice two, despite spinning, with a much quicker time than Hamilton’s. The Australian’s time of one minute, 37.942 was faster than the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso (1.38:132s) and Hamilton (1.38:279s). Button was fifth fastest (1:38.726s), while Vettel was seventh fastest (1.39:204s).

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