The Korea International Circuit at Yeongam was designed by Herman Tilke, and the inaugural Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix was held here in 2010. Yeongam is located in South Jeolla, 400km’s south of the capital city of Seoul, near the port of Mokpo. South Korea is located very close to Japan, so at least the teams didn’t have to travel that far for this, the second of 2 back-to-back races.
The circuit is a part-permanent track: half of it is normal racetrack, whilst the balance is comprised of streets that are in daily use. In essence then it’s half a street circuit. Parts of the “temporary” track will see the cars race along the harbour and waterfront. This will afford spectators great views from the promenade, various hotels and buildings, and also the luxury motor yachts moored in the harbour.
The Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix is the 16th race on the F. I. A. Formula 1 calendar. After Korea, there are only 3 races left for this season: India (1st GP to be held there), Abu Dhabi and Brazil.
TRACK STATS:
Length: 5.615 km’s
Turns: 18
Race Distance: 308.630 km’s (55 laps)
Current Lap Record: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) (2010) 1:50:257
2010 Winner: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
RACE TIME
Qualifying: 07h00 (SA time – Saturday 15th October 2011)
Race: 08h00 (SA time – Sunday 16th October 2011)
WEATHER:
Saturday: 14/22
Sunday: 11/21
The extended weather forecast is for a dry race. There may be a few showers during Friday’s Free Practice session. Last year’s race saw monsoon-like rain which made driving conditions extremely difficult.
TECHNICAL
Yeongam is an anti-clockwise circuit. Many drivers have described this track as a track of 3 parts: some fast corners (similar to a few well known tracks), some slower more technical corners and 3 fast straights. There is also the added street circuit element: on this section of the track there is no margin for error as there are no run off areas, make a mistake and you’ll be meeting a piece of steel Armco.
It is very important to get the balance of the car right here, especially for the slower more technical corners, where low speed mechanical grip will be paramount in setting a fast lap. From the start/finish straight the cars race down to Turn 1, decelerating from +-300km/h to +-80km/h. Then it’s through a slowish Turn 2 onto the kilometre long main straight, where the only DRS (Drag Reduction System) zone for the race is located. Here the cars will reach a speed of +-300km/h before braking hard for Turn 3, taken at +-80km/h. This is a perfect opportunity to overtake – braking hard in the braking zone for Turn 3. Thereafter it’s another fast straight taken at +-290km/h, before the slow series of corners that is Turns 4, 5 and 6. The balance of the car for these slower more technical corners will be critical. Turns 7, 8 and 9 are fast corners with speeds averaging between +-240 – 290km/h, before the slower Turn 10. Turn 11 is a long fast corner with 2 apexes, a challenge for any driver to get the exact racing line correct. From there it’s back onto the street circuit section of the track that will lead through the harbour area and back onto the start/finish straight. The average “G” forces experienced by the drivers will vary between 0,1 – 3,6 “G’s”.
Even though last year’s race was held in very wet conditions, and therefore the true nature of the track could not be properly ascertained under dry conditions, the track met with approval from most of the drivers. It’s a good blend of everything, which should make for some exciting and close racing.
The two tyre options that Pirelli has brought to this race are the “supersoft” compound (red writing on the tyre sidewalls) and the “soft” compound (yellow writing). In certain sections the surface of this track is very abrasive, meaning tyre wear will be high. Given the two options bravely selected by Pirelli, we could see some very interesting strategies being exercised which will hopefully lead to close racing.
In the last 2 or 3 races RBR-Renault have introduced a new front wing, McLaren-Mercedes have introduced a new rear wing, and Ferrari have updated their rear exhaust system. We may see a few new technical developments being utilised in this race.
2011 – F1 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER STANDINGS:
1. Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 324
2. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 210
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 202
4. Mark Webber RBR-Renault 194
5. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 178
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 90
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 63
8. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 60
9. Vitaly Petrov Renault 36
10. Nick Heidfeld Renault 34
2011 – F1 CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS:
1. RBR-Renault 518
2. McLaren-Mercedes 388
3. Ferrari 292
4. Mercedes 123
5. Renault 72
6. Force India-Mercedes 48
7. Sauber-Ferrari 40
8. STR-Ferrari 29
9. Williams-Cosworth 5
10. Lotus-Renault 0
SUMMARY
Suzuka, Japan, delivered a memorable race. Jenson Button drove a flawless race to take the victory. Sebastian Vettel was crowned World Champion, the youngest ever F1 Double World Champion at the age of 24.
In Korea, there is still everything to race for: 2nd place in the drivers’ championship and also valuable points are available in the Constructors’ Championship. Looking ahead to next season there are also only 4 races left (including this one) for drivers to impress their respective teams and secure a seat for next year. We may have a new champion, but the season is far from over.
All that remains are 5 lights, and when the lights go out…
We are racing in Yeongam!
Written by Mark Batchelder, Road and Race’s F1 Connoisseur
