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Korean International Circuit

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Korea International Circuit
Location Yeongam, South Jeolla, South Korea
Active from N/A - present
Major events Formula One
Korean Grand Prix
Formula Three
Korea Super Prix
Surface N/A
Length 3.492 mi (5.621 km)
Turns 18
Lap record 1:50.257 (Fernando Alonso, Scuderia Ferrari, 2010, class)

The Korea International Circuit<ref>Template:Citation/core{{#if:|}}</ref> is a 5.62 km (3.49 mile) motorsport circuit located in Yeongam, South Jeolla, South Korea, 400 kilometres south of Seoul and near the port city of Mokpo. It will be the venue for the F1 Korean Grand Prix at a $264 million (250 billion won) deal between Bernie Ecclestone and the Korean F1 promoter Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO - a joint venture between M-Bridge Holdings and Jeollanam-do regional government).<ref>{{#if: Korean F1 – Formula 1 in South Korea

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History

German designer Hermann Tilke was given the responsibility of the design of the track. It will be part permanent, part temporary. The temporary part will race along the harbour side of the province where spectators from the promenade, hotels and yachts can view the race. Part of the city with possible exhibition facilities, shops, restaurants and cafes will be utilized to be the pit lane during the F1 Grand Prix weekend.

The first Formula One race was held at the track in 2010. The deal is for seven years, with a five-year option after that which would take the race until 2021.<ref>{{#if: South Korea confirms

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It was announced on September 2, 2009, that the funding was in place to start construction at the site, and officials are confident the work will be completed in time to hold a Grand Prix in 2010. On December 10, 2009, the organisers of the event announced that they were on schedule, with a plan to finish the circuit on July 5, 2010, though they admitted that their largest problem lay in finding accommodation for all Formula One staff and spectators. The organisers also ruled out the possibility of staging the race at night until they have more knowledge of and experience in running a Grand Prix.

The Korean GP is due to be run on October 24<ref>{{#if: 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar

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 }}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref> for the 2010 Formula One season. This event will be the 17th out of 19 events during the 2010 Formula One season after the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit. The race will be on the 2010 calendar unless the completion of the circuit is not up to the FIA's standards.  The capacity of the venue will be 135,000 spectators.<ref>{{#if: Korean International Circuit
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In the midst of speculation that the race would be aborted because the circuit would not be completed in time, organisers for the race announced the circuit's opening date to be September 5, 2010.<ref>{{#if: Korean GP track to open on September 5th

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On September 4, 2010, in an event called ‘Circuit Run 2010’, a Red Bull Racing Formula 1 show car using a V10 version of the current Renault engine, with Karun Chandhok at the wheel, completed 14 laps of the all new Korean Formula One Grand Prix circuit. Four thousand spectators travelled to the new track for the event.<ref>{{#if: F1: Red Bull Formula 1 Car Turns a Wheel in Korea with Karun Chandok Driving

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The final track inspection has been delayed multiple times. Originally, the FIA technical delegates were due to inspect the circuit on 28 September 2010 in order to grant permission for F1 races to be held there, however the date was later moved to the 11th October, only 11 days before the first cars are scheduled to start first practice. Following a two-day track inspection, FIA race director Charlie Whiting described the Yeongam circuit as ‘satisfactory’ and announced the mandatory license would be issued through the Korea Automobile Racing Association (KARA).<ref>{{#if: FIA to give green light to Korean Grand Prix circuit

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According to the Chonnam Yeongam Korean Formula One Grand Prix circuit, 88 billion won is needed for the construction cost of the circuit, the amount requested by the scholarship that was used in the 52.8 billion won. However, it is difficult to secure the remaining 35.2 billion won this year, and was reported to be virtually no prospect of government aid to the Formula 1 project by the Korean government.<ref>Template:Citenews</ref>

Hermann Tilke believes that because of the low-grip nature of the Korean track, the inaugural race had the potential to be as exciting as the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix.<ref>http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87544</ref>

See also

Formula One circuits

Current circuits
(2010 season)

BahrainMelbourneSepangShanghaiBarcelona (Catalunya)Monte CarloIstanbulMontrealValenciaSilverstoneHockenheimHungaroringSpaMonzaMarina BaySuzukaYeongamInterlagosYas Marina

Former Circuits: A1-Ring (Österreichring)AdelaideAidaAin-DiabAintreeAnderstorpAVUSBrands HatchBremgartenBuenos AiresCaesars PalaceClermont-FerrandDallasDetroitDijonDonington ParkEast LondonEstorilFujiImolaIndianapolisJacarepaguáJaramaJerezKyalamiLe MansLong BeachMagny-CoursMexico CityMonsantoMontjuïcMont-TremblantMosport ParkNivelles-BaulersNürburgringOportoPaul RicardPedralbesPescaraPhoenixReimsRiversideRouenSebringWatkins GlenZandvoortZeltwegZolder

External links