• Korean Grand Prix

Korean GP set to get green light

Fears are receding the Korean Grand Prix will not take place, although serious concerns remain over whether the track, which is still being laid, will hold together for the race in a fortnight.

Korea's organisers have pulled out all the stops since Bernie Ecclestone issued a thinly-disguised broadside at the end of September that the race was in doubt. It seems likely the FIA inspection in the next few days will give the venue a clean bill of health.

The F1 roadshow will already be in transit by the time the FIA announces its final decision, so it will take something major for the grand prix to be cancelled.

"I think we have got to respect the fact that a lot of money has been spent, and a lot of effort put in, and I am sure the Korean nation will ensure that there is a grand prix," McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh told Autosport.

"It is worrying that it is this late and worrying to think it is new asphalt but it is the same for everyone. We are planning to be there, we would like there to be a Korean Grand Prix and we want there to be four more grands prix to decide this championship."

Ross Brawn of Mercedes was even more bullish. "As far as we know, it will happen. The final surface has been laid and they are finishing off the kerbs and so on. Everyone seems confident. I think the infrastructure will be a bit weak, but we want to race there and we need to do everything we can, as long as it is safe to race there."

Former owner turned TV pundit Eddie Jordan said Ecclestone's comments were a warning to the organisers and the country if they failed to deliver the race then it would be considerably embarrassing for all concerned.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.