BERNIE ECCLESTONE: KOREAN GP IS ‘ON’

“I will be there, the world will be watching and we will have a great race - it is on, end of story,” said Ecclestone, who warned only a fortnight ago it could be called off, due to delays as the Koreans fell behind with construction work on the circuit which is a four-hour drive from the capital, Seoul.

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“They had problems but they have done wonders in the last few weeks,” said Ecclestone. “I’ve been in touch, I’ve seen photographs and the top layer of the track has been laid. They will pass the inspection.”

The Koreans would have faced huge financial penalties and national disgrace if they had failed to be ready for Monday’s inspection by FIA race director Charlie Whiting.

They have shipped in thousands of tons of asphalt and half a dozen special machines from Germany and Ecclestone, who will not be at the Japanese GP, added: “Despite all the doom stories, I think people will be pleasantly surprised.”

The teams are happy the race will go ahead, despite not having the best facilities as many buildings are unfinished, but fans will have to deal with a building site.