Korea’s race in danger due to delay in construction
It is only a matter of time before the much awaited Korean track will be ready for final inspection.
As per the latest news, the Korean Grand Prix Track will be ready by September 21 for the final inspection to be held by Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, (FIA).
As per the initial reports the track was supposed to complete all its construction work in July and after the final touches, it should have been ready for its final inspection, however it has been delayed now.
Though the final date of 21st September has now been given to FIA, a lot of speculations are being raised suggesting that the newly built circuit might not be ready in time to host its first race this season. As per the Formula One 2010 calendar, the inaugural race of South Korea is supposed to take place on 24th of October, though the chances now seem to fade away.
FIA has given its final verdict that the track needs to be ready one month prior to the scheduled race day if it wishes to hold this year’s Grand Prix.
Well, this statement has raised a lot of conflicts among various stake holders of the race as FIA regulations state that, “inspections are supposed to be not later than 90 days before Grands Prix,” therefore many have complained that now the rule must not be violated and stretched to one month prior to the race. Answering all such charges FIA authorities said that the wording of the written rule only states that it 'should' be finalised 90 days earlier but that does not say that this is mandatory to happen.
However, the initial testing on the track has already started as Karun Chandhok of HRT is currently demonstrating a Red Bull Racing car on the new circuit. Further reports of the track are expected to be shared as the Indian driver gives his conclusion for the venue this weekend.
The track has been designed by the chief architect and designer, Hermann Tilke, who is also the main person behind the construction of some other newly built circuits like, the Indian Grand Prix Circuit. The German talked to “AUTOSPORT” last weekend expressing his views on the track saying that he firmly believes that it will be ready for use right in time though he admitted that time was short.
"The track is not finished yet, but it will be," proclaimed Tilke. "It will be ready.”
He continued saying, "Of course it is tight. But every circuit is tight. With every F1 circuit, the problem is always that the race date is there - and if there is bad weather or other circumstances then we cannot delay.”
"With a normal building, they can say that it will be finished now one week or two weeks later. We cannot do that with an F1 track.”
While talking to the reporters FIA also accepted that, "a lot of work remains to be completed," however it has shown a lot of hope that all will be done right in time.
The under construction circuit has been reported to have a capacity of 120,000 and has a total length of 5.621 km. It lies in Yeongam, at around a distance of 400km south of Seoul. The circuit has some of its part as permanent while other parts will be temporary for race days.
The basic reason of the delay is said to be the heavy monsoon season that halted construction work.
Moreover, there are also speculations that FIA has failed to find another location to carry the race therefore the margin of 90 days had been removed to just one month.
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