Fernando Alonso: Korean track an interesting amalgam of various roadways
The first visit of the Korean International track has been very encouraging for the Ferrari driver, Fernando Alonso. As he finished a round through the track the Formula 1 driver was excited to proclaim that the debut Korean Grand Prix is going to be a
“spectacular” event.
The Spaniard had been the first of the Formula One drivers to cruise through the track on his bike, along with his teammate Felipe Massa. The Italian team reached Korea ahead of many other teams on Tuesday evening, while they went to the track on Wednesday.
Both the drivers, after inspecting the initial sections of the track seem pretty happy and confident with the latest fixture of the Formula one calendar.
The newly built track is the latest venture of Herman Tilke, a German architect and designer who is responsible for most of the contemporary Formula One tracks. Though there had been a lot of doubts and concerns for this Grand Prix yet it is not ready to
take place right at its scheduled time. The construction work at the track delayed badly due to which the final green signal to the organisers of the event was given only two weeks before the final race day.
FIA held the final inspection of the venue only last Monday. Though there were many speculations yet the track got approved and now it is ready to host the 17th round of the season only in two days’ time.
As the Spaniard came back from his initial visit of the track, he wrote on the official website of Ferrari, “We have to say the first impressions are positive. First off, there are no big surprises as what we saw on the simulator over the past weeks and
the reality of it has a lot in common. It seems to be a very interesting circuit, which should be fun to drive, especially the final sector.”
Alonso was also glad to add that each of the three sectors of the 3.49-mile long lap is much similar to other tracks planned by Hermann Tilke for the Formula One. He reckons that this is going to make it easier for the drivers to understand and drive this
Sunday.
The track does not seem particularly similar to any single other circuit rather it is a mix of several ones. As you start driving through the first sector you cannot help but think of the Bahrain circuit as both encompass long straights that require heavy
braking. Moreover, both have very challenging 180 degree turns.
However, as you cruise through the second sector, the Istanbul track of Turkey passes in front of your eyes. Especially the Turn 11 makes you completely forget where you are as it is so much like the Turn 8 of Turkey.
Lastly, the glimpses from the Abu Dhabi circuit are visible at the third and the final sector of the track. While absorbing all these resemblances in his mind, Alonso believes that the race would not be as tough as it is always thought to be on a new circuit.
The driver now stands at 2nd place in the Drivers’ Championship and aims to reach to the top of the tally with this next race. Currently the Red Bull driver Mark Webber tops the charts with a total of 220 points under his belt while the Ferrari driver has
bagged 206 points so far, equal to Sebastian Vettel.
Now as the Formula One caravan heads for the Korean Grand Prix Alonso believes that the difference of 16 points is not an unachievable target and also he has complete faith in his team and the car he has.
The two times world Champion concluded saying, “There should be plenty of action there on the opening lap of the race, more than we will see at the start.”
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