F1

Korean GP News Today

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  • #128114
    nik
    Member

    The decision on wether the Korean GP will go ahead will be made today, according to Joe Saward:

    “The Formula 1 is waiting today to hear whether or not the Korean Grand Prix is going to happen. The problem is with the track surface. The final layer of tarmac has yet to be laid. The race in now less than four weeks away, and the surface will need about three weeks to cure. “

    The Korean Grand Prix

    I and some other commentators pointed out during the test that Chandhok ran that the track wasn’t even close to completion, especially as the surface was only a foundation and no top-surface of asphalt had been laid at any point of the track, and none of the run-off areas had been completed.

    Onboard video lap of Korea’s F1 track

    There are 24 days until the race – 18 days until the teams arrive and 20 days until the first cars go out on track. If it is true that not all the asphalt has been laid already, then there is no chance that this track will be ready to host a grand prix. Keep in mind that it will need to pass an FIA inspection prior to the first cars going out – I am not sure what that involves but I could imagine that a component of the certification would be a strength test of the asphalt, which would fail if tested so soon after being laid.

    Not looking good, at all.

    #146066
    nik
    Member

    Tilke is distancing himself from the project:

    “”I assume the Koreans will finish in time,” said German architect Tilke, founder and chief of F1’s preferred circuit design company Tilke GmbH.

    “I am working (on the project) only in an advisory capacity,” he told Germany’s Bild newspaper.”

    from : http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=388853&FS=F1

    and

    “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.”

    from: http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-doubts-lingering-over-korean-gp/

    It doesn’t make a difference to FOM, since they will get their money and will likely seek additional compensation from the organizers. The teams are troubled that the hospitality areas are not yet complete and they are being charged high rates for renting those areas.

    #146067
    AndrewTanner
    Participant

    Well..it doesn’t look good on paper does it? I hope they pull it out of the bag.

    Otherwise they could all just have a massive Xbox Live session ;)

    #146068
    Eggry
    Participant

    Hello, I live in South Korea. I bought a ticket so I’m worried much too. at least now, there’s no exact information about track construction. there are so many rumors and even in Korea, I don’t know what is true or lie.

    one certain thing is that schedule has been very delayed by rainy season. Some people live nearby track said event will be held at time, but I’m not sure.

    anyway, I’ve got an interesting footage of Korean track. Uploader said it was recorded just a week ago, but not sure too. to me it seems like more proceeded than Chandok drived, but still not enough.

    http://tvpot.daum.net/clip/ClipViewByVid.do?vid=aMj7lx0ttUA$

    #146069
    US_Peter
    Participant

    If it’s true that the top surface hasn’t been laid, it sure doesn’t seem possible for the race to happen at this point. It’s gotten so late now, that it seems unlikely the race could be moved to somewhere like Qatar as an alternative. Maybe just run two races in a row at Suzuka?

    If it doesn’t happen at all McLaren and Vettel won’t be too happy as it will hurt their championship chances. Alonso and Webber probably won’t lose sleep over it though.

    I hope they can work some magic somehow and make it happen. The track and scenery actually looked kind of interesting.

    #146070
    nik
    Member

    @Eggry – thanks for the link. If that is from a week ago then it would confirm what other reports are saying – that the top layer of asphalt has yet to be laid, which is just shocking.

    #146071
    NWO
    Member

    I am not one to post much, but I should end some of this debate here. Asphalt does not take 3 weeks to cure. It is driveable once it cools down to a surface temparature below 50 degrees celsius though most places wait until it cools to 40 before letting traffic on. That takes about a few hours or so depending on air temperature. That is full live loading of all vehicles (Cars, trucks, transports, etc..). It is not an ideal way to pave but it is done daily and with very few problems. Ideally you would want to wait a week to identify any deficiencies,so you can correct them, especially on a circuit.

    The speed of the vehicles is not a problem for the asphalt/tarmac but the design of the corners for speed. Since this is not the first circuit to be paved I would think they have what is called a Job Mix Formula (JMF) ready and designed for most race circuits that would just need to be tweaked to account for different types of granular material available in different geographic regions. The only thing that would effect this asphalt would be the materials available to Korea. But I saw asphalt roads there so I assume they have paved a street or two before this gig.

    NWO

    #146072
    Icthyes
    Participant

    It’s not looking good, but as much as I’ve been down on the Korea track I hope it goes ahead. It deserves a chance and it would leave a big hole in the calendar if it was to disappear!

    #146073
    Ned Flanders
    Participant

    Surely the Korean government is aware what a PR disaster an unfinished track would be, and how badly it would reflect upon their country. If they are, they ought to be putting a lot of money into the project to try and dig themselves out of this hole

    #146074
    goofy
    Participant
    #146075
    Dan Thorn
    Participant

    To Aida!

    #146076
    Icthyes
    Participant

    Was Mark Webber driving that truck?

    #146077
    Eggry
    Participant

    @goofy what the hell was happend! lol

    #146078
    Eggry
    Participant

    Another news from Korea. the organizer revealed the top surface will be laid October 5~8th. Engineers of Tilke will come to the track September 30th(Today in Korea now). they will evaluate the condition of surface which is already laid, and if OK sign, the top surface will be laid right away.

    they said the parts for stands also will arrive Sep. 30th. at least now main grand stand and padock club is ready but the others are not assembled yet. hopefully, I wish everything goes fine.

    #146079
    TommyB
    Participant

    Webber must have the biggest smile on his face right now.

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