FORMULA 1 - 2010

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23 Into 20 Won't Go

Jean Todt has said that he doesn't see a grand prix in Africa any time soon. Which is probably a good job considering the number of countries that want to host them compared to the number of dates available...

Having dragged their feet for years about the expense of doing more races, the teams have finally agreed to do 20 and absolutely no more. This expansion from the typical 16-race season of the 1990s has been eased by the reduction in testing. Even with 19 races on the calendar, as we've got in 2010, the teams are doing a lot less overall mileage than before.

This week the Russians signed a deal to host a grand prix in 2014, and as fellow hack Andrew Davies has commented, that'll probably be about the same time that Vitaly Petrov stops crashing.

The Russian race will be a potential 22nd on the calendar. If you add India and the USA to the 19 venues we are going to this year we get 22. And it can't be long before France finds a home for F1 racing and wants to be scheduled in again. Considering the nation invented the grand prix and held its first race in 1906, they have a very persuasive argument to be included.

Admittedly there are those who would say that the Monaco Grand Prix is a default.

French GP. Those in the south of the country can head to Monte Carlo; those in the north can hop over the border into Belgium, but it must be a bit strange having the FIA set up in grand buildings in Paris and no home event.

The French argument aside (right now they're having trouble getting petrol, let alone a race), there are going to be two unhappy bunnies from the 22 tracks that might expect to hold a grand prix in 2014.

So, contracts aside, who's going to drop out in 2014?

Future GPs

You can pretty much guess that if a circuit has just signed a multi-year deal that it will go ahead. So providing the Koreans haven't messed up the planning of this year's event and the FIA impose drastic financial penalties, then they're safe. Following the debacle of the Commonwealth Games, the Indian government will be very anxious to keep an eye on the company developing the Delhi GP circuit, as the country can't afford two sporting bad news stories in successive years. So that should be okay.

The USA GP in 2012 has a lot of question marks over it as there have been rumours circulating that no new road planning has been greenlighted yet. One of the biggest bugbears for any new track is the road infrastructure and the need to get 120,000 fans out of the venue in three hours. However if Korea fail to meet that target, then that might let Austin off the hook.

Recent GPs

Singapore is well-established after three events and easily the best new GP to grace Formula One in the last 20 years. They are financially sound, and what's more the organisers don't sit on their laurels. With Abu Dhabi it's still too early to tell, but in F1 money (not spectators or a large f1 fanbase) counts. And they have enough of it.

China and Turkey are two different kettles of fish. Putting fish into kettles isn't much fun but probably a lot more fun than attending a grand prix in Shanghai or Istanbul, judging by the number of bums on seats. After the initial rush of enthusiasm for the event, the spectators have failed to rush in and support the race. And that's hardly surprising as there are no home racers in F1 and no prospect of.

The Ottodromo at Istanbul Park is one of Herman Tilke's best designs and it would be a shame to stop going there because of the challenge and the exciting races, while the commercial imperative of visiting China for the teams has never been stronger. China is now the biggest market for new cars in the world.

Bahrain (2004) - great pit complex, nice place to test but as a televisual treat of F1 racing it's way up there with the Caesar's Palace car park in Las Vegas. Malaysia, though dating back to the last century (1999) is still in much the same bag as China and Turkey with a spectator base stubbornly resistant to the charms of F1 and no home driver to cheer on.

Modern GPs

Japan, Australia, Spain, Hungary, Brazil, all have strong fan bases, it's just a question of whether individual organisers can make their event pay. Interlagos needs a lot of updating, but judging from the strength of the Brazilian economy, that shouldn't be a problem. In this group Spain and Brazil are strongest and Hungary and Australia weakest, with the Aussies unable to move their race into a more global-TV-friendly timeslot.

Traditional GPs

Britain, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Belgium. These should all be safe despite the odd negotiating whinge that Monaco should pay more money or that Belgium should update its facilities.

So which are the ones that could go?

Likely casualties:

1. USA - F1 has always been the third-rated motorsport event in America behind NASCAR and Indy and so the potential for cancelation seems high in a country where most would not view it as the pinnacle of motorsport. The mood music around Austin sounds a bit like the kind of stuff we heard around Donington Park and the USGP team. Everything's going fine...

2. Valencia - Bernie once said that no European country should have two GPs and then gave two to Spain. The European GP at Valencia has a contract for 2014, but with 20% unemployment in the country and Spain tottering on the brink of financial catastrophe, how long can they run at a loss?

3. Australia - with global cutbacks in public funding and the Aussie GP losing a substantial amount of money per race, coupled with pressure from Albert Park's environmental lobby, the Melbourne Race is being squeezed. Can a World Champion in Mark Webber turn round public opinion?

I sure hope so!

4. China - the Chinese are nothing if not hard-headed businessmen and the experiment to import F1 hasn't come off.

5. Turkey - As with Valencia, the showcase event relies heavily on regional backing and the moment that is withdrawn the show is over.

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McLaren preview the Korean GP

Nothing short of a podium will be good enough for Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton if they hope to still be in the title chase after Korea...

Jenson Button: "It's always exciting visiting a new circuit for the first time. 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.

"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."

Lewis Hamilton: "I've driven the Korean International Circuit on the simulator, and my first impressions were extremely positive. On paper, the track should suit our car quite well - the first sector is all about good end-of-straight speeds and strong performance under heavy braking, both key characteristics of our car.

"And the middle sector is fast and flowing; it's the kind of place where you want a car with a good balance and good downforce. I think it'll reward commitment - it actually feels like quite a nice driver's track. The end of the lap is slower and tighter, but it's still all about rhythm and flow - so, as long as the track surface is nice and grippy, I think we're set for an enjoyable first race in Korea.

"I'm looking forward to the weekend - I think we can have a positive race. While recent results haven't necessarily shown it, we've had a strong car - now I'm hoping to get the chance to prove it on track."

Martin Whitmarsh - Team principal: "With three races remaining, and 75 points on the table for the drivers, it would be unwise to write off Jenson, Lewis or Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Both drivers have won world championships before - they understand the difficulties of such a unique situation, and both have learned how to deliver their best under high pressure. They will be ready for this battle.

"And it's a battle that will doubtless be won by consistency. While we will continue with our aggressive development strategy, bringing further new components to this race, we're mindful of the need to bag points at every race. Nonetheless, we are committed to winning, and won't give up without a fight.

"Finally, to clarify, following his gearbox issue in Suzuka, Lewis will not face a second successive five-place grid penalty this weekend. The gearbox regulations were framed to ensure teams weren't penalised twice for the same gearbox issue, so Lewis will go into the weekend without risk of further penalty."

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Merc GP preview the Korean GP

Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher are eagerly awaiting the 'exciting challenge' that Korea holds, confident they can adapt to the new track.

Nico Rosberg: "It will be an exciting challenge to race at the new Korean circuit. It looks great from the pictures that we have seen recently and I hope that the asphalt holds up as it has only been put down very recently. It is always interesting to learn a new circuit and generally I get up to speed quickly so I'm looking forward to the weekend."

Michael Schumacher: "Finally this year we are going to a circuit which is not only new for me but for all of the drivers. Korea will be a very interesting country to see and even if the track has only just been finished in time, I am confident that everything will be fine. I am very much in favour of new races and I think it is a benefit for all of us in the sport. It should not be too complicated to learn the layout and we are used to adapting quickly to new circumstances. We had quite a good race in Japan last weekend and are hoping that we can move forward again and put on a good show at the first race in Korea."

Ross Brawn, team boss: "We are very pleased to be visiting Korea next week and are looking forward to the experience of racing in a new country for Formula One. It is important for the future of our sport that we continue to expand our global fan base therefore we are very pleased that the venue is ready in time after some uncertainty. We have been preparing for the new Korean circuit back at the factory with work on our simulator so we have a good idea of what to expect but as always with a new track, it will be an interesting challenge."

Norbert Haug, Merc motorsport boss: "The first Korean Grand Prix will be a completely new experience for everybody involved in Formula One and our team welcomes this new race onto the calendar. The organisers have had a challenging period of time to get the new facilities complete according to the initial plan but everything seems to be ready now. We are looking forward to an exiting first race at this new track in Yeongam where we can hopefully continue to get the maximum from our current technical package, as in the last races, and score additional points."

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Sauber preview the Korean GP

Sauber are refusing to make any predictions ahead of the Korean GP after a repeat of their Suzuka double points-finish wouldn't go amiss...

Kamui Kobayashi: "I am very excited about going to the next Grand Prix! After the race in Suzuka I am even more motivated. I went straight to Tokyo to stay there until I have to travel to South Korea. I had a couple of promotional activities and meetings, but also time to relax and do some sports in order to prepare for the next race. I always enjoy nice warm weather, and also it was good for me to stay in the same time zone instead of flying back and forth to Europe. I have never been to South Korea. At some circuits this year other drivers have had an advantage in terms of knowing the track, but this time it is the same for everybody. I am very much looking forward to discovering the circuit!"

Nick Heidfeld: "Two years ago I went to South Korea for the first time - I was doing demo runs with our former Formula One car. It was the first time a F1 car had been fired up in that country. The circuit didn't exist, so I drove on a closed street in Seoul and then in Gwang-ju, a city in the province of Jeollanam-do where the circuit has been built. The track is a long way away from the capital, therefore the weekend will kick off with a several hour drive, which might be a little inconvenient after a long flight. At the moment hardly anyone knows exactly what to expect on site. I am very curious to see the track and the facilities! From a driver's perspective the most important thing is that the tarmac lasts. If the final layer is laid a short time before, it is generally understood it can be oily which, of course, would be extremely problematic. But I can only give any informed information about the quality and lay-out of the track once I have driven there. Generally I welcome new venues because they provide a special driving challenge, and for a World Championship it is positive to race in as many countries as possible."

James Key, technical director: "For the new Korea circuit any preparation we are able to do will rely on the information we have on the track's lay-out. We can, of course, undertake initial simulations and make predictions, but ultimately it is difficult to foresee everything with such a new circuit, and we will only know all this when we get there. We have a CAD file of the circuit from which we can derive an ideal driving line, and this can then be used to run our simulation tools. It allows us to play with different downforce and grip levels, braking severity and, to a certain extent, to look at mechanical settings and ride heights. But this is obviously very general as you don't know how bumpy the track is, how the grip levels are, how the tyres will degrade or if the drivers will take a different line and so on. You can not prepare for these unknown factors, but you have to make sure you are ready to deal with them and so spread predictive work out to cover various different scenarios. Only then can we consider how to react to whatever the case may be. For other new tracks on the calendar you would have data from different racing series, but this is not the case here. It is up to the teams and drivers to learn quickly and react in the best possible way to optimise the car, so it will be a good challenge. The track looks extremely interesting with three straights, heavy braking at the end of each and then very winding sections for the second half of the lap. It looks like a technical track, and one of those where you face the challenge to find a compromise for the downforce levels required. However, theoretically it looks like a higher downforce track with a winding section towards the end of the lap. It will be a very interesting weekend for all of us and we look forward to visiting Korea for the first time."

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Lotus preview the Korean GP

With the season drawing to a close, Lotus Racing are determined to win the best of the newcomers title...

Heikki Kovalainen: "I left Suzuka on Monday morning still buzzing after such a great race. I said then that the car was just fantastic to drive, and all drivers pray for days like that - it meant so much to the whole team, and our fans, for us to go one better than we did in Australia. That sort of result gives us a huge boost as the season draws towards the end, particularly because we were so far ahead of both Virgins - while they have kept updating their car at each race, we've been working on 2011 and haven't updated our car since Silverstone, so to stay that far ahead is a major result.

"I'm looking forward to Korea. It's new for all of us, and while I've had a bit of a look at the layout, the first couple of laps will be all about finding the right lines, and then we will focus on setups. To be honest, it won't take long to get to grips with the track and I think the car will be ok there. It's a pretty typical modern circuit - a couple of long straights with heavy braking at the end, and then a mix of a few tighter corners and a couple more quicker ones, so we should be about where we were in Japan. If I get another set of tyres like my second set in Suzuka it'll be great, but whatever happens, we're closer to tenth in the Championship now, and that's what it's all about."

Jarno Trulli: "I really enjoyed Japan but it was good to get home! The whole team performed really well over the weekend, and we took a big step towards the end goal of tenth, so everyone left happy.

"Korea looks pretty good - Some drivers use simulators or even games to take a look at the lines, but I usually find my way around a new venue by running a few laps of the track on the Thursday. It's a good way to work out the stresses of the plane journey, and you get a view of where the braking and turn-in points are. Whatever happens, after a couple of laps I'll know my way around and where I can push, so it doesn't take long to acclimatise."

Mike Gascoyne, Chief Technical Officer: "Looking back to Japan, we could not really have had a better weekend. I think both Jarno and Heikki managed to extract every bit of performance they could from the cars, and that showed in our advantage over our nearest rivals in qualifying and in the race. We made a couple of announcements before the race about next year that showed how ambitious we really are, and there are more to come, but for now we go to Korea in a very positive frame of mind.

"It is always a bit of a step into the unknown when you go to a new venue, but we have completed a number of simulation programs at the factory that have given us a pretty good idea of how the car will behave on track. The big unknowns are what downforce levels to run, and how the track surface will stand up to the rigours of a full race weekend. We will find the right setup over the weekend, and any track issues are out of our control - it has been passed by the FIA so we will just go there and do our best. If there are any problems, it will be the same for everyone, so we cannot waste time worrying about what might happen - we will just focus on bringing both cars home in the race and taking another step closer to the end of the season."

Tony Fernandes, Team Principal: "I am still smiling from what happened in Japan. The whole team deserved a result like that, and we were able to capitalise on what was a pretty crazy race by being in the right place at the right time. That was down to having experienced drivers who kept out of trouble on track and drove brilliantly all weekend, a team on the pitwall who made the right calls to give us the chance to grab 12th and 13th, and guys in the garage who put in the hard work to help us stay well ahead of our competition - all in all it was a fantastic team effort."

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Bridgestone preview the Korean GP

With absolutely no track time at the new Yeongam circuit, Bridgestone head to South Korea with their hard and soft compound tyres.

Hiroshi Yasukawa - Director of Motorsport: "It is always good when Formula 1 visits a new market and Korea is an exciting economy with strong growth. Bridgestone have a developing presence in this market, however the additional marketing push provided by our presence at the first ever Grand Prix there should be highly beneficial. Congratulations to Korea for welcoming Formula 1. We are looking forward to seeing the Yeongam facility for the first time and meeting many Korean Formula 1 fans."

Hirohide Hamashima - Director of Motorsport Tyre Development: "This Grand Prix presents everyone in Formula one with an interesting challenge as the circuit has only recently been completed. This means that we cannot look at any data from races there so we have to rely on simulation data. From this information, the maximum and average speeds will be 310 km/h and 205 km/h respectively. This places the track between Catalunya and Istanbul and close to Sepang in terms of speed, which is an important factor determining the allocation of the hard and soft tyres. Korea should be a good test of all of our technology and I expect all the team engineers to be working very hard indeed over the weekend trying to understand the best car set-ups and tyre strategies for the race. As it will be the first motor racing event at the facility we expect a lot of track surface evolution over the weekend. It will also be interesting to see how the teams and individual drivers adapt to this track, particularly those in the hunt for the championship battle."

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Durango still eyeing current team takeover

The failed 2011 candidate Durango and partner Villeneuve Racing are still defiant on entering Formula One next season, despite the FIA turning their bid down in early September.

The partnership immediately announced their intention to buy an existing team, with the likely candidates including Hispania, Sauber and Toro Rosso.

Ivone Pinton, the man behind Durango, has yet again expressed his interest in buying a current team as a way into the sport.

"At the moment we are in contact with a couple of Formula One teams to either become partners or to buy them," he told 422race.com, "Having said this, if it won’t be this coming year, it will be the next. In the meantime we will do something else."

Meanwhile, Pinton confirmed that Villeneuve is still eyeing a race seat, using Michael Schumacher's current comeback as a supporting factor.

"The first option is logically F1. We started to do this, Villeneuve wants to do this and he would like to race for a couple more years." He said, 'If Schumacher is racing, I can do it as well, because I am three years younger than him.'

"At the moment he’s still well as a person, he’s strong, he looks like a 15-years-old. He’s totally involved in this project and phones me five times a day. He’s a good person and I like working with him very much."

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Mercedes keen to see di Resta in F1

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug believes 'remarkable' young Scot Paul di Resta deserves to get a Formula 1 race chance with Force India next year, but says his company will not put any pressure on Vijay Mallya's team to promote its current test and reserve driver.

Di Resta has impressed in his role as Force India's number three this year, taking part in the majority of Friday practice sessions at grands prix.

He has been linked to one of the race seats in 2011, either to replace the struggling Tonio Liuzzi, or if Adrian Sutil moves elsewhere.

Alongside his Force India role, di Resta is one of Mercedes' leading drivers in the DTM touring car series, and Haug said he would love to see the Scot in F1 next season.

"Paul is certainly a remarkable driver, no doubt," said Haug.

"But it is not in our hands.

"Of course we have discussions with Force India.

"We have a good relationship but it is not our decision at the end of the day.

"We cannot influence it.

"But it would be nice for Paul, nice for our junior scheme, nice for DTM to bring another driver up and hopefully he has a good chance."

Force India has not been drawn on its 2011 driver plans so far, beyond suggesting that it would not be looking beyond its present trio of Sutil, Liuzzi and di Resta.

"We are comfortable with the drivers we have," said deputy team principal Robert Fernley.

It has also been suggested that di Resta could try the Mercedes F1 car in the Abu Dhabi young driver test next month, which Force India has decided not to participate in.

Haug confirmed the intention was that one of Mercedes' proteges would be in the car for the post-season sessions.

"No final decision is taken for the young guy but hopefully it can be one of the guys who are in the Mercedes scheme," he said.

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Watch Webber's lap of Korean GP track

Mark Webber shows us the way around the long-awaited new Korean GP venue.

MIKA: Nice video which pretty much sums up the rivalry between Webber and Vettel.

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Chandhok backing Bulls for Korean win

Karun Chandhok, the only F1 driver to have experienced the new Korean circuit, reckons Red Bull will clinch the inaugural victory next Sunday.

Chandhok took part in September's 'Circuit Run 2010' at the Yeongam track, putting an old Red Bull racer through its paces, giving him first hand experience of the venue.

Asked for his thoughts on who he believes will be the dominate force at the inaugural Korean GP, the Hispania Racing back the Red Bulls to dominate.

"It will be closer than last weekend in Suzuka as it is not quite so aero-dependent, but I still fancy Red Bull to win," Chandhok told Telegraph Sport.

"I think Korea is another Red Bull circuit. They proved by the end of Japan that they were a good half a second clear of the McLarens and Ferraris.

"In two weeks that is impossible to catch up, regardless of how many new parts you throw on a car."

However, he does believe there are certain characteristics of the track that should play into McLaren's hands as the design features three long straights, which will suit the Woking team's f-duct.

"It does have three long straights, which will help McLaren, but from turn four it's basically just left-handers all the way home and gets a bit more fiddly - slow-speed, second-gear stuff, camber changes - which will play more into Red Bull's hands," he said.

"Fernando (Alonso) could hustle it up and get closer to them and actually I fancy (Renault's Robert) Kubica to do well again in Korea. He is a real street fighter and this kind of track will suit him.

"What could be interesting, though, is the start. Red Bull may well lock out the front row and still not be leading by the time we reach T4 because of the straights in that first sector.

"That would make it very interesting. I know it is something that Mark (Webber) is thinking about because he told me when he asked me what the circuit was like."

Heading to Korea, Webber is leading the Drivers' Championship by 14 points over Alonso and Sebastian Vettel while Lewis Hamilton is 28 points behind and Jenson Button, 31 points off the pace.

[OZCUBAN]

Great posts mate

I am really looking forward to Korea being a new circuit as well means in theory no one has a distinct advantage ,here's hoping that Webber can get top spot on the podium so that it might give him a bit of a breather on the run home to the championship

cheers OZ

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Heidfeld fears 'oily' Korean track

Nick Heidfeld admits the F1 drivers could struggle in Friday's practices in Korea due to the slippery nature of newly-laid asphalt.

The new South Korean circuit was given the green light earlier this week after FIA race director Charlie Whiting conducted a two-day inspection of the track.

But despite getting the go-ahead there are a few concerns about the track as the final layer of asphalt was only laid a few days before the inspection.

"From a driver's perspective the most important thing is that the tarmac lasts," said Sauber's Heidfeld.

"If the final layer is laid a short time before, it is generally understood it can be oily which, of course, would be extremely problematic.

"But I can only give any informed information about the quality and lay-out of the track once I have driven there."

And he's not the only driver who has a few concerns about the track.

"It will be an exciting challenge to race at the new Korean circuit," said Merc GP's Nico Rosberg.

"It looks great from the pictures that we have seen and I hope that the asphalt holds up as it has only been put down very recently."

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Kovalainen: P10 is what it's all about

Heikki Kovalainen is determined to follow up on his best result of the season from Japan with another solid finish in Korea as Lotus bid to finish 10th in the Constructors' Championship.

Kovalainen put in a storming drive at the Suzuka circuit, to claim 12th place, one position higher than his previous best with Lotus, a P13 at the Australian GP.

The Finn's result put Lotus firmly in tenth place in the Constructors' Championship, putting them on track for the title of 'best of the newcomers' ahead of Virgin and Hispania.

"I left Suzuka on Monday morning still buzzing after such a great race. I said then that the car was just fantastic to drive, and all drivers pray for days like that - it meant so much to the whole team, and our fans, for us to go one better than we did in Australia," said the Finn.

"That sort of result gives us a huge boost as the season draws towards the end, particularly because we were so far ahead of both Virgins - while they have kept updating their car at each race, we've been working on 2011 and haven't updated our car since Silverstone, so to stay that far ahead is a major result.

"I'm looking forward to Korea. It's new for all of us, and while I've had a bit of a look at the layout, the first couple of laps will be all about finding the right lines, and then we will focus on setups.

"To be honest, it won't take long to get to grips with the track and I think the car will be ok there. It's a pretty typical modern circuit - a couple of long straights with heavy braking at the end, and then a mix of a few tighter corners and a couple more quicker ones, so we should be about where we were in Japan

"If I get another set of tyres like my second set in Suzuka it'll be great, but whatever happens, we're closer to tenth in the Championship now, and that's what it's all about."

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Hakkinen: Most exciting season in years

Double World Champ Mika Hakkinen rates this year's title fight as the best in recent times as five drivers are still in the running.

With just three races remaining, five drivers are in the hunt for the World title with Mark Webber leading the way, 14 points ahead of Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

McLaren's drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button could also still win the title, although at 28 and 31 points adrift respectively, their chances are fading fast.

"The last few years in F1 were exciting but this year surpasses everything," former McLaren driver Hakkinen told Motorsport Magazin.

"This is unbelievable because so many drivers are still fighting for the Championship. This is great."

As for Championship leader Webber, Hakkinen reckons the Aussie has "done a great job in 2010. He has shown a trend and become very strong mentally. Something has changed in him in a positive way."

However, the Finn reckons Webber could yet be undone by his Red Bull team-mate, Vettel.[color="#2F4F4F"] "There are still three races and Vettel is not an easy opponent. He is a young, energetic man and he pushed to the limits." [/color]

In fact, Hakkinen believes Vettel has a great deal of the characteristics that saw Michael Schumacher, Hakkinen's old nemesis, win seven World titles.

"Vettel has no fear to go over the limit, just like Schumacher. But the fact is that mistakes happen when you go over the limit.

"It can be painful but I myself also preferred to be over the limit rather than under. I understand the mentality of the two.

MIKA: Yes, Mika did indeed and F1 isn't the same without him....

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Buemi: Korea's very much a Tilke track

Bad news for F1 fans, having simulated the new Korean GP track Sebastien Buemi says it's "very much in the style" of the usual Hermann Tilke circuits.

Formula One is off to South Korea this weekend for the inaugural Korean GP, which will take place on a Tilke-designed track.

None of the drivers have any on-track experience of the new venue, although simulators have allowed them to familiarise themselves with the circuit.

And, unfortunately for fans, Buemi says the layout is keeping with Tilke's usual style.

"Immediately after the Japanese Grand Prix, I headed back to Europe and spent the following Tuesday in the simulator to get some experience of what we might find in Korea," said the Swiss driver.

"It looks interesting enough with a very long straight, while the corners cover a really big range of types, from very slow to very fast.

"You get a sense from the simulator that the track layout is very much in the style of the more recent circuits designed by Hermann Tilke in that he has been able to create a wide track and the overall length is one of the longest on the calendar at around 5.6 kilometres.

"I can't wait for Friday to find out how accurate was our work on the simulator and how our STR5 car will go here. I hope that we will have the F-Duct at last for a race weekend, after testing it a few times, because the track characteristics, especially the long straight, mean that this technology could deliver a significant advantage.

"Other teams have had it for a while, so it would be good to join them on the same level in this respect. If we get it to work well, then I think we really can aim to qualify higher up the grid than usual on Saturday."

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Williams won't comment on Nico's future

Williams are remaining hush as rumours of Nico Hulkenberg's pending dismissal continue to grow.

Earlier this month, rumours emerged claiming that Force India's Adrian Sutil as well as newly-crowned GP2 Champ Pastor Maldonado were in the running to replace Hulkenberg next season.

The Williams rookie has failed to deliver the results many expected of him, scoring just 17 points in 16 races.

Now The Sun is reporting that finances could play a role in Hulkenberg's future as Williams are "set to lose several major sponsors", meaning a driver with financial backing would be a welcome proposition.

Enter Sutil, who has "£2million-worth of backing" and Maldonado, who is "understood to have a whopping £10million at his disposal, some from his national government."

Williams, though, are refusing to comment on the rumours.

"I cannot go into that," said CEO Adam Parr when questioned about Hulkenberg's future.

MIKA: What ever happened to giving rookies a fair go and allow them to drive a second season? F1 in the last 2 seasons seems to have swayed in that some teams are only selecting drivers with financial backing rather than the days of old where the team would select the driver based on merit and give them a go and supporting the team.

Sure, Hulkenberg is a little slower than many expected, but the past 4 races he has done pretty well as far as his race craft is concerned. I know a team like Williams, who are used to being winners, would like drivers to be more competative, but first and foremost, Williams need to ditch the Cosworths IMO.

Rookies are rookies, Petrov, Rosberg, Hulkenberg but we all need to learn to crawl before we can walk. Should any driver not hold their weight in season two of their career, then certainly remove them but someone like Petrov who I truly feel is an amazing talent is a perfect example of a great Rookie who has great speed and style and he deserves a second chance at Renault as well as the HULK in Williams.

Rosberg speaks for himself, he is doing a fantastic job at MercGP.

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Q&A with Renault's Eric Boullier

Renault team boss Eric Boullier concedes that taking fourth place off Merc GP in the Constructors' Championship is 'very much an uphill struggle'...

Q: What was the team's mood after the Japanese GP?

EB: The first feelings were obviously of immense frustration and disappointment. When you start third on the grid, and your race lasts fewer than three laps, then it cannot be any other way - all the more so when a genuine chance of a podium finish slips away. But there were positives to take from the weekend, too. Robert did an exceptional job in qualifying - probably one of his best laps this year - to put the car fourth; and our general level of competitiveness was much better than in Singapore. Our challenge now will be to try and repeat that level of performance again before the end of the season.

Q: What are your thoughts ahead of the first race in Korea?

EB: It's always exciting to visit a new venue and, following our Roadshow in Seoul earlier this month, we know that Formula 1 can expect a very warm and enthusiastic welcome from the country's fans. Any new track brings with it plenty of unknowns, and the potential for surprises up and down the grid. The circuit presents a variety of challenges, some well-suited to our car and others less so. As always, our aim will be to extract the maximum from the car and to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself to us.

Q: The team is now 43 points behind MercedesGP in the Constructors' Championship. Is fourth place still a realistic goal?

EB: With three races to go, it's now very much an uphill struggle - but this is F1, and anything can still happen. We have a huge amount of respect for Mercedes as competitors, they are the reigning world champion team, and they have had a strong second half of the season where they made the most of their opportunities. Even if we don't overhaul them in the standings, we can be very proud of our achievements this year. From a low point twelve months ago, we are the most improved team of 2010 and, in the second half of the season, we have been taking the fight to the teams at the front of the grid. That's a real tribute to the quality of the people we have at Enstone - and a very promising sign for the future.

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Bernie critical of 'selfish, stupid' team bosses

Bernie Ecclestone is refusing to name his possible successor, although given his opinion on F1's team bosses it's unlikely to be one of them.

Ecclestone has ruled the world of Formula One since the late 1970s, turning the sport into a multi-million dollar industry.

However, at 79 years of age, his time in charge is coming to an end, although in the past he has insisted that he'll hold the reigns until the day he dies.

But while there may be no signs of Ecclestone slowing down, there is always speculation over who will replace him when the time comes.

"I have no idea," he told the official F1 website when asked to name names. "They (the team bosses) should probably look out for another used car dealer!"

As for those team bosses it's unlikely that Ecclestone would choose one of them as he believes they are largely a selfish bunch who are only on the look-out for what they can get.

"They should probably all see that they run their own businesses properly and not worry about others'," he said.

"What is good for Formula One is good for everybody involved - teams and companies. Too many people only think about what is good for them. It's the same with the rules - they only think about what can make them win."

Asked if that it was a case of 'ego', Ecclestone said: "I wouldn't call it ego but stupidity. They should think about the whole global side of it.

"All the teams are very competitive and want to win, which I support completely, but they need to want to win on level terms and not try to get a big advantage. If they get an advantage because somebody designs a better car or they have a better driver or strategy, then super.

"But they should not try to devise things so that they can go in knowing that they have an advantage. Lots of them would like to go in and have a little bit of a bigger engine than the others, which is not really the way to go."

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Kubica: Disappointed Kimi won't be joining

Robert Kubica says he's a "bit disappointed" that Kimi Raikkonen won't be joining him at Renault, as it would've been really good to have a World Champ as a team-mate.

Rumours of Raikkonen's possible move to Renault, which created headlines after the Finn's management admitted they had contacted Renault to enquire about their 2011 line-up, came to naught when the 2007 World Champ lashed out at Renault.

According to the World Rally Championship driver, he "never seriously considered driving for Renault" and was "very disappointed with the way they have used my name for their own marketing."

One man who was left disappointed by the Finn's rejection of Renault was his potential 2011 team-mate, Kubica.

"I was a bit surprised because personally I thought that there was a chance," the Pole told ITV-F1. "But apparently it wasn't the case - what he's saying is completely different to what the picture was looking like.

"So I'm a bit disappointed because if there had been a chance I would've been very pleased to race together in the team with him, because he is a great driver.

"To have a World Champion driver as a team-mate would always be really good, and I think it's what Renault needs as well. But apparently it was completely not the case, so I don't really know what to think."

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De la Rosa in contact with Hispania boss

Pedro de la Rosa could be set for a return to the grid in 2011 after revealing he is in touch with Hispania owner, Jose Ramon Carabante.

The Spanish team could gain a very valuable driver in the form of Spaniard De la Rosa, thanks to his involvement with Pirelli as their official tyre tester and until recently, a member of the Sauber outfit.

Though he isn't counting on his experience with the 2011-spec tyres as a 'determining factor' in securing a seat with the team.

"It's not going to be a determining factor. It's not going to get me a drive, but it could get me closer to one," de la Rosa told Spanish radio Onda Cero.

"I talk with Carabante and we are in a lively exchange, in fact he informs me about the teams progress.

"If the project is interesting and ambitious I would be glad to be with them. They know it, but at the moment there is no hurry."

MIKA: I know being an F1 driver would be the ultimate pinnacle of anyones career but I really loathe to see a driver get that desperate to stay in F1 by driving for HRT...

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Virgin preview the Korean GP

Timo Glock: "I always look forward to the challenge of a new circuit and after everything that has been said about Korea I can't wait to arrive there and see the new track for myself. It is a high downforce circuit with what look to be some challenging corners, particularly the section between turns 7-9, 11-12 and turn 17, which is almost flat, blind and important as it leads onto the second longest straight. I think there will also be some good overtaking spots in the early part of the lap. I'm looking forward to Free Practice as in addition to getting my first real taste of the track it is always interesting to see how well our simulation work translates to reality. We have a lot of hard work to do in the remaining three races and it is important that we find everything we can from the current package to try to end the season well."

Lucas di Grassi: "I'm looking forward to Korea, a country that I have never been to before, and the circuit looks exciting from the pre-work we have done on the simulator. I'm confident I can put in another good performance as the track is new to everyone and we have some upgrades on the car. I have recovered well from the Suzuka accident and I have been training as hard as ever for the last three races of the season."

John Booth, Team Principal: "For a time, many of us thought this race may not happen, so it is testament to all the hard work carried out by the organisers that the Korean International Circuit is now ready for racing. Our congratulations to everyone involved. Much has been said about the track and the venue, but we are excited at the prospect of discovering it for ourselves in the days ahead. We have been busy in recent months working with a simulation of the new track from the data that has been provided and our own calculations. Timo and Lucas have done countless 'virtual' race distances of the circuit already, but of course there is no substitute for turning a wheel for the first time when Free Practice gets underway on Friday in order to properly gauge what the track has in store for us.

The biggest unknown quantity will of course be the asphalt, which was only laid a few weeks ago and will therefore be very 'green'. With the weather conditions expected to be similar to Suzuka - although perhaps not quite as extreme as Saturday - I think we have a very interesting weekend ahead as we work towards finding the optimum setup for the race. It is difficult to believe that we have only three races of our debut season remaining, but we will be pulling out all the stops to try to end the year on a high."

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Force India preview the Korean GP

Adrian Sutil: I drove the Yeongam circuit on the simulator earlier this week to get a head start on what to expect when we arrive. It looks as though it is a good circuit with plenty of interesting corners and sections that could provide some overtaking opportunities. I would say overall it's a medium speed circuit - there are three long straights where you can reach over 315kph but also some slow to medium sections that will bring the overall speed down. There's a real mix of corners, including some Tilke 'trademarks' such as a hairpin after one of the straights and some more flowing curves.

I've seen and driven the layout on the sim, but what you can't get an idea of is the bumps, the grip levels and the kerbs. As the track surface has been laid only very recently it's going to evolve over the weekend - I expect this to be one of the major talking points of the weekend and we'll look to get as much information on Friday. I expect we'd run a medium level of downforce on the circuit but a lot will depend on the bumps and the track surface. If there is a lot of grip then we could even run a lower level but we'll see when we get there. It just means practice will be busier than usual as this is the kind of information you can only get when you drive the cars on the track.

Aside from learning a new track, which is always a pleasure to do, I'm also very keen to see some of Korea. I love Asia and discovering new places in the region and I've not been to this area before at all. I'll have a day in Seoul, which I've heard is a really vibrant place, and then I'll head down to the south to the more rural area the circuit's in for Wednesday night. It's going to be an interesting weekend as we've got a big battle on our hands at the moment. We've got to do better in qualifying this race and then of course finish - it was a disappointment not to get to the end as the car has been very reliable this year, but it just makes me more determined to get points this time out, both for myself and for the team.

Tonio Liuzzi: After two very short races in Singapore and in Japan I now can't wait to get out there in Korea to get a proper race. There was nothing I could do about the outcome of my Japanese Grand Prix. I had had a really good start and I was already past five or six cars as I went into the first corner, but then suddenly I saw Massa coming across the circuit at me like a rocket. I was just a passenger and didn't stand a chance. The real shame is that at that point I was in a brilliant position for the race and we could have scored some very good points.

This week I've been in the factory and have had a day in the simulator to get to know the Korean circuit. My first impression of the track is that it will be a pretty nice one to drive. It has a lot of different types of corners, from slow to high and it won't be easy to find a set up that will suit every type of corner you have there. I think the first sector with the long, long straights and tight corner into another straight will really suit our car; the second sector not as much but we will see when we get there - so much will depend on the grip levels and the track surface.

It will make Friday practice pretty busy as we look through all the data and try to get the most out of the car and the tyres. We've got a couple of new tweaks on the car as well that will make the programme even more charged. Plus I will have another chassis to use in Korea and for the last three races as my car was very badly damaged in Japan.

My goal this time out is of course to go the whole distance in the race and also to make the most of qualifying as we have really been struggling in this area. We have found it hard to get temperature into the tyres over one flying lap and that means we've started further back, but we will try and understand it and see if we can improve. I'm looking forward to getting out there and doing a good job throughout the weekend; it's going to be an interesting one for sure.

Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal: Of course we were disappointed by the Japanese event: we didn't make the most of qualifying and we had a double retirement in the race. We've got some work to do to maintain our advantage in the constructors' championship but I am confident in our own reserves, our drivers and ability to maintain it until the finish. To this end we've put a lot of effort into the Korean Grand Prix. We've got some changes to the front wing and a small mechanical update that we didn't use in Suzuka because of the weather. We are also looking at introducing some new aero tweaks to strengthen performance, but of course we want to make sure any effort is targeted and will give a genuine improvement.

It's going to be a very interesting event for us as a team. It's a new track, a new country that very few people on the team have been to before so it will be a big challenge for us to address. We've tried to gather us much information on both the facility and the area in advance to make it as smooth as possible. Both drivers have been in the simulator to learn the layout and the team will fly out earlier than usual to get used to the area, the track and of course the jet lag - we realise it's a very hard time of year for everyone.

For myself I'm very excited about the prospect of another race in Asia, and particularly a race in this market. There is a large amount of industry and potential worldwide business to come from an Asian tiger such as South Korea, which has the fourth largest economy in Asia and the second largest metropolitan city in the world in Seoul. It's got a lot to offer Formula 1 and I hope we can, in turn, bring a lot to the region as well.

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Renault preview the Korean GP: Team Q&A

Q: Robert Kubica: The dust has now settled following the race weekend in Suzuka. What was your verdict on the weekend in Japan?

RK: I was positively surprised with our level of performance. I was hoping that we would be more competitive than in Singapore, because Suzuka is a circuit more like Spa, but I didn’t expect to be as quick as we were. It was a big effort in qualifying, and I was surprised to be so far up the grid, but ultimately it didn’t pay off. But that’s how racing is: problems can happen, and I haven’t thought about it since.

Korea will be a new challenge for everybody. What do you know about it?

RK: I have seen the videos on You Tube and collected as much information as I can with the team. I will do some virtual laps to learn the layout before we walk the track with the engineers on Thursday. To be honest, though, the first installation lap gives you more information than most of the preparation you can do.

What do you think of the circuit?

RK:The track looks pretty interesting. There’s a bit of everything: long corners, high-speed and low-speed sections, and the final sector seems quite challenging. A lot will depend on the level of grip that the asphalt has. If the grip is high, then some of the corners will be easy flat; if it’s low, they will be a big challenge. We have seen already this year, at races like Hockenheim and Canada, that the grip varies a lot with new tarmac. And that makes it very difficult to predict what will happen this weekend in Korea, and how competitive we can be relative to our rivals.

Q:Vitaly Petrov: What have you done to prepare for the next race in Korea?

VP: It’s hard to do any special preparation because it’s a brand new circuit and there have not been any races there yet. This means there is very little information available. All I have done is some simulator work to help me learn the track. Because it’s a new circuit, I think this makes life a little bit easier for me because everybody will be in the same situation and will have to learn the track.

Talk us through your usual approach for learning a new circuit?

VP: The best thing is to walk the track and see it for yourself. Then, I like to do some laps on my bike to understand as much as I can. You have to look at things like the kerbs and the run-off areas. All this is helpful, but you obviously learn the most during the first free practice session. It’s important that you know the lap by the end of this first session.

What are your initial thoughts on the layout of the track?

VP: It looks like a tricky circuit. The third sector looks quite a challenge because it’s low-speed with most corners probably taken in second or third gear. Turns seven and eight will be quick corners and there are three long straights where it’s important to use the f-duct. Overall I think it will be quite a good circuit for our car. There should also be some opportunities for overtaking.

With just three races remaining, what targets are you setting yourself?

VP: I always try to be in the top ten and that must be the target this weekend. I think we had the potential to do this in Suzuka, but I need to make sure I don’t make any mistakes. Scoring points is important and that will be my aim in Korea.

How excited were you to hear news of a Russian Grand Prix in Sochi from 2014?

VP: I’m very proud that my country has made this decision, which will make F1 even more popular in Russia. Almost all the drivers already have a home race so I hope that I can experience the same special feeling of racing at home in a few years’ time.

Q: Eric Boullier: What was the team’s mood after the Japanese GP?

EB: The first feelings were obviously of immense frustration and disappointment. When you start third on the grid, and your race lasts fewer than three laps, then it cannot be any other way – all the more so when a genuine chance of a podium finish slips away. But there were positives to take from the weekend, too. Robert did an exceptional job in qualifying – probably one of his best laps this year – to put the car fourth; and our general level of competitiveness was much better than in Singapore. Our challenge now will be to try and repeat that level of performance again before the end of the season.

What are your thoughts ahead of the first race in Korea?

EB: It’s always exciting to visit a new venue and, following our Roadshow in Seoul earlier this month, we know that Formula 1 can expect a very warm and enthusiastic welcome from the country’s fans. Any new track brings with it plenty of unknowns, and the potential for surprises up and down the grid. The circuit presents a variety of challenges, some well-suited to our car and others less so. As always, our aim will be to extract the maximum from the car and to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself to us.

The team is now 43 points behind MercedesGP in the Constructors’ Championship. Is fourth place still a realistic goal?

EB: With three races to go, it’s now very much an uphill struggle – but this is F1, and anything can still happen. We have a huge amount of respect for Mercedes as competitors, they are the reigning world champion team, and they have had a strong second half of the season where they made the most of their opportunities. Even if we don’t overhaul them in the standings, we can be very proud of our achievements this year. From a low point twelve months ago, we are the most improved team of 2010 and, in the second half of the season, we have been taking the fight to the teams at the front of the grid. That’s a real tribute to the quality of the people we have at Enstone – and a very promising sign for the future.

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No running for Di Resta in Korea

Force India test and reserve driver Paul di Resta won't be getting behind the wheel of the Force India car in Korea, making this his third race weekend in a row without getting into the cockpit.

With the track an unknown to all drivers and teams, it is essential that they get as much running as possible, something Di Resta is fully aware of.

"We decided at the start of the season, I'm not going to be driving in Korea as it's a new track for everyone and the drivers will need the extra track time to get used to its nuances," said the Scot.

"With the track being ready so late, that extra time is even more important as the conditions are going to evolve very, very quickly over the race weekend.

"From my perspective however it will be interesting to see the new venue and also experience how the team prepares for a completely new event, both at the track and back at the factory.

"I'm sure the whole paddock will be a different atmosphere, as no one really knows what to expect. We've heard it's a great facility so let's hope it is as good as it sounds.

"Like everyone else on the team I'm looking forward to seeing something completely new."

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South Korean GP Timetable

The 17th round of the Formula One championship takes place at the inaugural South Korean Grand Prix this coming weekend.

Despite concerns over whether the track would be ready in-time, last minute safety checks by the FIA gave it the green-light earlier this week.

The drivers will need to complete 55 laps of the 5.621km (3.49mi) track before they see the checkered flag. The outcome of the race will move us a step closer to crowing the 2010 champion, but your guess as to who it will be, is as good as ours.

You can find the local time and UK times for the race below:

Local Time (GMT +9)

Thursday 21 October

15:00: FIA press conference

Friday 22 October

1 0:00 - 11:30 - First free practice

14:00 - 15:30 - Second free practice

16:00 - FIA press conference

Saturday 23 October

11:00 - 12:00 - Third free practice

14:00 - 15:00 - Qualifying

15:00 - FIA post qualifying press conference

Sunday 24 October

15:00 - 17:00 - Korean GP

17:00 - FIA post race press conferenceUK Time (BST)

Thursday 21 October

07:00: FIA press conference

Friday 22 October

02:00 - 03:30 - First free practice

06:00 - 07:30 - Second free practice

08:00 - FIA press conference

Saturday 23 October

03:00 - 04:00 - Third free practice

06:00 - 07:00 - Qualifying

07:00 - FIA post qualifying press conference

Sunday 24 October

07:00 - 09:00 - Korean GP

09:00 - FIA post race press conference