Korea GP: I don't take a lot of notice of rumours - Ecclestone

Sept.26 (GMM) President and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration Bernie Ecclestone on Sunday insisted next month's Korean GP will go ahead.
It has emerged that despite September 21 being the initially belated date for the Yeongam circuit's final inspection; the FIA is not now expected to sign off the track until next week or even later. A South Korean delegation is in Singapore this weekend, triggering the latest round of paddock rumours about whether the race will take place -- including talk of a looming typhoon.

"We're happy with the circuit at the moment," F1 chief executive Ecclestone told the Korea Herald newspaper from Singapore.

He played down the rumours that the track will not be ready.

"I don't take a lot of notice of rumours," said the Briton, explaining the reasons for the delayed inspection.

"We waited for an obvious reason, because the weather's been bad. The federation (FIA) seems very happy with what's happened, with everything that will happen," he added.

Ecclestone also denied suggestions that FIA rules will prevent Korea from holding a race in 2011 if the inspection does not go well.

"We signed a contract," he said. "I can't discuss this (outcome), because it's going to happen."

Ecclestone admitted that he does not expect a big crowd for October's inaugural event.

"People are reading complete rubbish in papers that it is not going to happen, so I don't estimate a big, big crowd," explained the 79-year-old.

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FIA to inspect Korea after final asphalt laid

September 21, touted as the belated final inspection date for Korea's new F1 circuit
, passed without notice.

That's because it has been agreed with the struggling race organisers that the inspection can take place next week instead, according to Auto Motor und Sport.

Charlie Whiting's inspection will now take place next Tuesday, despite the FIA rules requiring circuits to be given the green light several months before their debut race date.

But according to the German media report, it is only next week that the final layer of asphalt will be laid on the surface of the Yeongam layout.

Also to be inspected by Whiting will be the run-off areas, fences, walls and tyre barriers; crucial details those mere days ago were essentially incomplete.

Auto Motor und Sport said that, from a commercial point of view, the organisers have fully paid their race sanctioning fee.

"I believe it (the Korean circuit) will eventually be signed off because Bernie (Ecclestone) is desperate for it to be signed off.

"But it's not great PR for the circuit or the FIA," said Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary.

Source:motorsport.com

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The Korean GP launches F1 Race tickets sales

(GMM) The Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) has started selling tickets ahead of the opening Korean Grand Prix this October. By launching the final trio of races, the event could play a vital role towards the outcome of this year's World Championship. Following Grands Prix in Malaysia, China, Singapore and Japan, South Korea will host the fifth and last Asian race of the 19-race 2010 season at the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam.

Tickets prices will range from 117,000 won (£68) to 920,000 won (£537) minus tax at the track which will hold a capacity 123,000 crowd. Those who make ticket purchases before the end of April can expect a discount in the region of 10 percent.

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Korea boss Jason Cho says track 'must' be ready for Formula 1

Sept.15 (GMM) The Korea's F1 track manager Jason Cho admits time is running out for the Yeongam venue to be ready for its opening race next month. In a talk with the Associated Press, Jason Cho was asked if - mere days ahead of the crucial inspection by the governing FIA - he is feeling stressed.

"Just look at my face," he smiled. Organisers KAVO had already been given an inspection deadline extension from July to September 21, and the latest rumour is that the FIA has granted yet another extension to 28 September.

That is just over three weeks before the inaugural race on October 24.

"It will be ready, it's a must," said Cho. "If we don't finish then we don't have an event so it will be done in ten days."

Officials say the delays have been caused by bad weather, and KAVO's deputy marketing manager peter Baek is also confident the track can be completed in time.

"Europeans have a set schedule and want to keep to the schedule
as actively as possible but Koreans always get things done," he said.

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FIA delays Korean GP Circuit inspection

Sept.15 (GMM) The Formula 1 governing body FIA will not undertake a last checking of the Korean International Circuit awaiting on September 28, less than four weeks before the scheduled grand prix on October 24. It was planned Charlie Whiting would visit on September 21, breaking his journey to the Singapore Grand Prix, but it is claimed that has put back a week because of local holidays. The FIA's own regulations state such an inspection should take place 90 days before the race.

Local organisers are not worried as they believe whatever the outcome of the inspection the grand prix will go ahead as planned. There are too many logistical headaches with teams, travel and the media to countenance a last-minute change of plans.

"The FIA has been receiving weekly updates from its inspector in Korea and the construction company with regard to the track and its safety installations," an FIA spokesman said recently. "The FIA is satisfied with the progress even though a lot of work remains to be completed."

Bernie Ecclestone added: "There are problems but we assume that the race can take place … the circuit is definitely ready, but as for all the buildings, perhaps not."

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Chandhok drives a Red Bull on the Korean International Circuit - Pictures

Images © Press Association



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