• Korean Grand Prix

Ecclestone confident Korea will be ready

ESPNF1 Staff
September 6, 2010 « Stoneman extends lead with double win | »
Karun Chandhok took to the circuit at the weekend © Korean Grand Prix
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Bernie Ecclestone on Sunday sounded defiant amid reports Korea is not ready to host a Formula One race.

Yeongam, about a four-hour drive from Seoul, is scheduled to host its inaugural grand prix late next month. Karun Chandhok did the first demonstration laps of the track on Saturday in a Red Bull, admitting that the venue is not yet complete.

Photos showed some buildings and grandstands are half built, fences missing, run-off areas unpaved and the track with only an initial layer of asphalt. And the German newspaper Bild reported that a full supply of water and electricity is not yet present. Additionally, many seats in the main grandstand are not installed, while parking lots are not ready to accommodate cars.

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

"So we may have to put up some tents," he joked.

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