• Korean Grand Prix

Korea plays down fears

ESPNF1 Staff
September 27, 2010 « Heidfeld confident he will stay in F1 next year | »
Organisers insist the cicuit will be ready on time © Sutton Images
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Organisers of the Korean Grand Prix hit back on Monday amid widespread reports the inaugural race was in real danger of being called off.

F1 teams, media and personnel are concerned that - despite FIA rules requiring a final track inspection 90 days before a new event - the uncertainty about Korea is still growing just three weeks before they are due to fly to the country. The final inspection will now take place on October 11 according to a Korean official, albeit after much of the sport's freight has left Suzuka.

There is also the issue of the world championship, with the title challengers not entirely sure if there are three or four contests still to run.

"We will have no problem in hosting the race on October 24 as we have almost completed work," a spokesman for organiser KAVO is quoted in an AFP wire report on Monday. He insisted that the track will be ready in time for Charlie Whiting's October 11 inspection.

"We will rush to complete work and FIA officials will see a complete circuit when they conduct a final inspection in two weeks," he said.

Fears over the race grew over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend after Bernie Ecclestone admitted he was personally concerned about the current state of the track.

"We take Ecclestone's remarks seriously as a message that we have to step up preparations for the race," added the spokesman.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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