Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Korea awaits Whiting's verdict


The FIA launched an inspection of the new Korean F1 track on Monday, less than two weeks before the race is scheduled to get under way.

The inspection came two days after contractors completed work on the surface of the track built by the Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) at Yeongam, 320 kilometres (200 miles) south of Seoul.

It was led by Charlie Whiting, technical director of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), KAVO spokesman Kim Jae-Ho told AFP.

"Whiting, going on foot, has been checking every corner of the track," he said.

"So far we have received positive remarks from him, and we are confident that the track will pass the inspection which focused on its safety and appropriateness."

Doubts had been raised whether the new circuit would be completed ahead of the race on October 24.

But F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told Britain's Daily Express newspaper Saturday that the inaugural Korean Grand Prix would go ahead as planned.

"They had problems but have done wonders in the last few weeks," he said.

"I will be there, the world will be watching, and we will have a great race. I've seen photographs and the top layer of the track has been laid. They will pass the inspection."

An official FIA decision on the race is set to be announced on Wednesday.

Races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi will complete the season after the maiden grand prix in South Korea.

Source: Planet F1

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