Formula One
F1: Doubts Lingering Over Korean GP
It's not yet known whether the Korean Grand Prix will run as scheduled...
Adam Cooper  | http://www.speedtv.com  |  Posted September 27, 2010   Balen (BEL)
Work continues on Korea International Circuit, site of the now questionable Korean Grand Prix. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
The F1 world continues to wait for news on the Korean GP after Bernie Ecclestone for the first time suggested that that there were doubts over the race.

It would not be unusual to assume that Ecclestone was sending a message in his typically mischievous way, but considering that the Korean promoter was present in Singapore, he didn’t have to use the media to get it across. The uncertainty his comments have created has not helped anyone.

Most sources continue to suggest that F1 will go there come what may, although someone close to the action told SPEED.com over the weekend that it was now 50/50.

Charlie Whiting was due to inspect the track Tuesday, but decided there was no point for the rather fundamental reason that the top surface has not been completed.

He is instead heading home, and will now go to Korea on the Monday after the Japanese GP. Thus what the FIA’s own rules dictate should have been an inspection 90 days out will be held some 10 days prior to the start of the meeting.

And at that stage, of course, things start to become difficult, because the F1 freight will already be starting its journey from Suzuka, and while many team personnel are due to come home between races, some are scheduled to travel straight to Korea. A cancelation at that late stage will not exactly be convenient for anyone.

Meanwhile, the teams are increasingly frustrated in their dealings with the venue, specifically with regard to the unfinished hospitality buildings, and the huge fees that they are being charged to rent them for the weekend.

Adam Cooper notched up his 25th season as a racing journalist in 2009. Born in London, England, he saw his first F1 race at age 10 in 1976. He began freelancing for Autosport magazine in 1985 and was on the fulltime staff from 1987-92. He then went freelance again, initially spending two years in Japan before following the 1994 Champcar series from a base in Indianapolis. He has not missed a Grand Prix since Suzuka ‘94, a run that has extended to Abu Dhabi ’09. Adam has written books about Eddie Irvine, Piers Courage and Michael Schumacher and hosts a race preview show on Sirius XM. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Check out Adam's Blog or follow him on Twitter

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