South Korean GP gets F1 go-ahead
SEOUL: The South Korea got approval by the Formula One’s governing body, i.e. International Automobile Federation (FIA), on Tuesday, which means the country would host South Korean Grand Prix later this month.
The decision was taken after the final inspections of the track in Yeongam, just about four hours away from Seoul, by the race director of the FIA, Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) said on Tuesday.
The FIA made the call amid concerns that the Yeongam track would not be up to the international standard but the race director, Charlie Whiting, found no discrepancy in the track in its final inspections.
After getting the go-ahead, the inaugural South Korean Grand Prix would be staged on October 24, 2010.
However, the organisers would be racing against time because there is still a school of thought that the Yeongam track would not be ready for the race by that time.
KAVO chief Chung Yung-cho told local media later in the day, “The Korea International Circuit has been built as per the highest international standards and there is no doubt that it will become the epicentre of motorsport in the country”.
The things are getting tough at the top of the world championship with five drivers in the reckoning for the title with only three races to go and had the FIA disapproved the Yeongam track, it would have affected the title race.
Aussie Mark Webber of the Red Bull team enjoys 14 points lead at the top after securing second spot in Japan earlier this weekend.
The final layer of asphalt laid only last week on the Yeongam track but it failed to disrupt mind of Charlie Whiting, the race director, who literally put an end to the cancellation fears of South Korean Grand Prix.
KAVO claimed that Whiting appreciated the design and layout of the circuit that gives spectators security while bringing them closer to the action and speed.
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