Although speculations for a call off, The Korean Grand Prix will go ahead after FIA's Charlie Whiting gave the newly-laid circuit his approval for racing.Whiting made also a bried anouncement:
"It is satisfactory, and I will issue the license through KARA (Korea Automobile Racing Association),"
However, legitimate doubts remain about the circuit, particularly after rain fell on the newly laid and curing top layer of racing asphalt overnight. A photograph, reportedly taken at the circuit on Monday, shows a bridge over the start-finish straight still under construction, while the circuit's main access road is apparently not yet sealed and the entire site not fully fenced.
But the main concern is the still 'sweating' track surface, with the process of oil seeping to the top unlikely to pass by the time of the first action of the practise sessions before the race.
Bridgestone's Hiroshi Yasukawa commented:
"I think we've already made the tyres, so we have to try. Our tyres are equal for everybody. At this stage, wait and see."
Yet, Force India driver Tonio Liuzzi expressed his doubts about the safety of the surface.
"The track surface will still be a bit of an unknown until we turn up in Korea and its condition will depend on what the weather was like when they were laying the tarmac," he said. "It could be a bit of a risk and we will have to analyse how the tyres reacted straight after the first practice session on Friday. We believe that the FIA is doing its absolute best to make sure everything is as good as possible but we won't know for sure until after first practice."
The FIA approval was welcomed by promoter, the Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO). Said KAVO and Korea Automobile Racing Association (KARA) Chairman, and , who hosted Whiting for the inspection of the 5.615km track and infrastructure facilities:
“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. The KIC has been constructed to the highest standards, and will become the epicenter of motorsport in the country. We believe the 2010 FORMULA 1 KOREAN GRAND PRIX will be the catalyst to ignite enormous interest in the sport across the nation. The FIA has played a crucial role from the very beginning, and provided enormous support in terms of expertise, advice and knowledge. KAVO has benefitted greatly from the FIA’s tremendous experience, and we are grateful for their guidance.”
The Korea International Circuit is designed as a dual structure: the 5.615km Formula 1 track, which will include elements of a street circuit and has a 1.2km straight, and a shorter, permanent circuit of 3.045km.
The track was designed by the world-renowned Hermann Tilke, and incorporates local elements such as the roof of the main grandstand which resembles the eaves of traditional Korean ‘hanok’ houses. A total of 130,000 spectators will be accommodated at the circuit, with 16,000 seats in the main grandstand.
