• Korean Grand Prix

Button excited by Korea challenge

Jenson Button says the circuit will present good overtaking opportunities © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Korean Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Jenson Button
• |
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• McLaren

Jenson Button says he is excited by the prospect of driving at the new Korean International Circuit as the championship battle goes down to the wire.

After months of speculation regarding whether or not the venue would be ready on time, Charlie Whiting gave the circuit the green light at the start of the week.

"It's always exciting visiting a new circuit for the first time," said Button. "The Korean track certainly looks very interesting - a real mix of different characteristics - and there appear to be a couple of very likely opportunities for overtaking, particularly at the end of the three main straights, but possibly also off-line in the twisty final sector. The track looks quite high-speed, and the walls are close, so I think it'll be an interesting challenge."

With the final layer of tarmac only recently laid, there are still worries that the circuit could deteriorate over the course of the weekend. And whilst Button admits there are still some concerns, he is sure the weekend will be a success.

"As with any new circuit, it looks like it might throw up a few unexpected issues - not necessarily on the racetrack itself, but I'm sure the teams and drivers will work together with the organisers to make sure the event is a complete success.

"We've made some improvements to the parts we tested in Suzuka, and it's looking likely that we'll run the new parts on Friday in Korea. As with all our upgrades, we are pushing the envelope, so I'm optimistic that the tests will be positive and that we'll be able to race the new components."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.