• South Korean GP

South Korea on target for 2010 grand prix

Work on the Korean International Circuit is well underway © Sutton Images

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Organisers of the South Korean Grand Prix have dismissed rumours that the track might not be ready for the inaugural race in 2010.

Speculation that the Korean International Circuit would not be ready in time started when it was left off a Formula One Management (FOM) provisional calendar and was not helped by a lack of information from the organisers. However, the grand prix is now listed on the official FIA and FOM calendars to take place on October 17 and the event's general manager of strategic planning Kevin Lee said there were no concerns over progress at the circuit.

"It is totally on plan," he said at the motorsport business forum in Monaco. "We have a plan to finish the whole construction work at the circuit on July 5 next year, and up until now it is roughly 60% done. It is really fine. We are working together with other people. Hermann Tilke is our engineering consultant, and he is very happy with the progress of the construction at the circuit. We've also had visits from the FOM people, and they are happy to see our construction site and our region."

The track is based over 200 miles outside of the country's capital Seoul but Lee insists that transport to-and-from the circuit will not be a problem. However, he did concede that there still isn't sufficient accommodation around the circuit for race goers.

"The accommodation for F1 related staff and spectators is not sufficient yet, but we can solve all the problems," he said. "There is a possibility to rent cruise ships, and I think we will find all the accommodation we need. The F1 staff are our priority and we have found all the hotel rooms for those people."

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