FORMULA 1 - 2010

[MIKA27]

Hamilton: Difficult but doable

Lewis Hamilton insists he can still win the World title despite a 28-point deficit to leader Mark Webber ahead of the Korean GP.

The 25-year-old Brit led the Championship after his third win of the season in Belgium in August but crashed out in Italy and Singapore before a gearbox malfunction saw him finish fifth in Japan a fortnight ago.

"It's going to be difficult but we'll do everything we can," said the 25-year-old McLaren driver, who has scored just 10 points in his last three races.

"I think my chances are quite good. It's not impossible to win - there's a lot of points still available - so I feel positive."

Formula One comes to South Korea for the first time Friday for the 17th event of this year's 19-race season, to be followed by races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton's race at Suzuka two weeks ago was a lost opportunity after he qualified in third behind the Red Bull duo of German Sebastian Vettel and Australian Webber.

A five-place penalty for McLaren changing the gearbox on his MP4-25 saw him start from eighth on the grid and he dropped to fifth late in the race after his new gearbox failed.

"There's some situations that I've been in that were unfortunate and you would have hoped they didn't happen, but they do, and that's character-building," he said.

"I don't think bad luck really exists - you make your own luck. Sometimes I have made mistakes and that can be perceived as bad luck, but that's a mistake.

"Sometimes the car will fail. I feel that this weekend that we've learned from a lot of our mistakes, and hopefully we'll be able to get back on the positive end."

The venue in Yeongam, a 5.6-kilometre (3.5-mile) track featuring a mix of corners, long straights and good overtaking opportunities, has been touted as Asia's best circuit.

The race is forecast to bring some 1.8 trillion won in "visible and invisible" economic benefits over seven years, although ticket sales have been slow.

McLaren chief engineer Phil Prew says Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button, the reigning World Champion, need to finish on the podium in Korea to keep their title hopes alive.

"We've under-delivered points in the last couple of races," Prew said.

"The car has the pace and the potential to be competing, and finishing higher up than we've achieved recently.

"I think our target this weekend is very much to get on the podium - in fact, we need to be in front of Webber. We need two cars at the front, competing for the front row of the grid in qualifying, and then delivering a race result on the podium."

MIKA: IMO, I dont believe Hamilton has a chance of winning this seasons WDC.

The McLaren this season is a super fast and reliable car but I feel LH's issues partly have been bad luck but also his own errors. I think Jenson Button has a far more level head at this moment and if anyone can get back with a chance, its JB. But, as I have stated previously, this seasons WDC is Webbers and Alonso will be hot on his heels.

[MIKA27]

Thursday's Korean press conference

The Championship five, Webber, Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton and Button, attended the opening press conference in Korea...

Q: Gentlemen, you have just been doing the recreation of the 1986 photograph of the World Championship contenders. There were four of them then. There are five of you now going into the third last round of the championship. What are your feelings about the championship going into this race, particularly on an unknown circuit?

Jenson BUTTON: For me it has been a very interesting season. Arriving at a new team and working with a new team-mate and finding my feet pretty early on I felt. I have enjoyed the season. For all of us it has been quite up and down. We have all had some pretty poor events and some good events. It has made the championship very exciting. It is good to still be involved in the championship hunt with three races to go. Obviously it's most difficult for me as I am 31 points behind. But there is always a possibility. We are still very hopeful and I am looking forward to the next three races. I am sure it is going to be pretty mixed up as we go through these next three races. If you look at the last two races the Ferraris and Red Bulls sort of had the legs on us a little bit but these next three hopefully we will be a bit closer. That will make an exciting fight for the end of the season.

Lewis HAMILTON: I think Jenson answered it all really. It is good to be here. It is a new circuit which is quite exciting for all us drivers. Quite dusty out there, but as Jenson said this weekend hopefully we will have a little bit more of a fighting chance against the Red Bulls and Ferraris and hopefully we will be a little bit more fortunate as well.

Sebastian VETTEL: I think it has been looking worse this year for me, so I think we are in a good position. The car is really good. The last couple of races were very strong. As the others said this race is a bit unknown yet. I think all of us could be very strong potentially here, so we need to see how it goes. Sector one doesn't look like our home ground, but I think sector two and sector three should give us a possibility to catch up. We will see. Interesting venue this one, so looking forward.

Mark WEBBER: It was good to do the photo with all the guys. As you say going back all those years with some of our heroes obviously in those photos. It has been a very interesting season up to this point, lots of different winners, and we are all in a position now. It is not by accident we are in these positions. We have all had the season's we have had up until this point. We have three races to go and they all offer the same points as the first three races of the year and the ones in the middle, so nothing has really changed too much. Just got to go out there and do your best. It is a clean slate here for everybody. It looks like a good little venue to have a race on, so I am looking forward to getting in the car tomorrow and getting on with it.

Fernando ALONSO: Well, I think not much to add. Similar comments, up and down in the season. But for me personally a great 2010 championship, driving for a new team, great integration with Ferrari from day one. Felt very comfortable. It has probably been the best year of my career so far with great experience, very happy. Now the last three races try to do our best to arrive in a position to fight for the championship in Abu Dhabi. We came back. We made some good steps forward in the last five, six grands prix, so the last three races should be exciting with some better circuits, some worse circuits for all of us and hopefully making the most every weekend.

Q: A question to you all about Korea. I know Jenson and Lewis raced in Korea before in Formula Three. Jenson on the podium in 1999 and Lewis on pole position in 2003. Your feelings first of all about the circuit, maybe about the country?

JB: I enjoyed my experience here in Korea. In 1999 that was. I finished second in the race. It was partly a street circuit and it was a good experience. I think it was good to see so much interest in the event. I think it was one of their biggest motorsport events here. It was a great experience and they seemed very passionate about their motorsport and it is good to see a lot of interest. Hopefully it will be the same here. It is an interesting layout. I think they have done a good job with the layout of the circuit. I think in the first sector there are overtaking opportunities which is good to see and then you have some very fast flowing corners out the back. I think the layout is nice. It looks very slippery at the moment but that is inevitable considering it is quite a new asphalt.

LH: I don't really remember too much about it. I remember I was taken out by a driver in the race. That was about it. Otherwise it was a good trip and a good experience and it is great coming back. This was my first time to Seoul and I had a good day there. I think they deserve a pat on their backs for getting this place ready and it looks like they can put on quite a good show, so looking forward to it.

SV: My first time here, so haven't seen much yet. But walking the circuit this morning it looks very interesting and lots of grandstands, so hopefully we will have lots of people coming this weekend. The circuit itself, I think the main things have been covered. We will see how grippy it will be, but given the fact there was a lot of concern and we were even talking about not racing here, lately they did a very good job. I think most of the things are finished, so should be alright for us to go out.

MW: First time for me too to Korea. They have tried incredibly hard to get everything ready against a bit of a deadline. I think we are all ready to go. It looks like it will be ready, properly ready in a few years time if you know what I mean, in terms of around here and in terms of the city and some rural surroundings if you like. It's a bit remote but that's fine. I hope the people in the future can embrace the sport and have a good look at what Formula One is about as clearly at the moment it is new to them and a new experience but the enthusiasm looks good which is the most important thing.

FA: Me too, first time here. I think they did a very good job as well with getting everything ready. I think it is 99 per cent ready, so it will be a good show this weekend. It is always nice also from a driver's point of view coming to a new circuit. It is a new challenge for us and always with a new country it is very welcome in the championship, so looking forward to the race here and hopefully a good show.

SV: The only thing that they could probably finish in the future is the hotel situation for a lot of team members and I think you journalists. I think for the drivers, we are fine, but I have heard some stories and maybe they can work on that.

Q: Again, to you all. What have you been doing since Japan? Did you stay out here or did you go back? Where have you been training?

JB: I headed back. We spent the day together Lewis and myself at a charity event, last Thursday, then I had a day in the simulator on Friday. We did some work for a partner of ours on Saturday and then headed out to Japan where I have been since in Hiroshima.

LH: I had a couple of days back home which was great. Did some training there and then, flew out here. Got here Wednesday morning and had appearances all day yesterday and drove up this morning.

SV: I stayed out after Japan, on the Asian side, to stay with the time rhythm and got a little bit of sun. Did some training and arrived here yesterday night.MW: We left pretty quickly after the race in Suzuka which got me in trouble a bit apparently. Went to Australia as quick as possible and had a good time at home in Australia. It was all fine.

Q: Lots of appearances down there? Lots of media work?

MW: Absolutely zero.

Q: How did you manage that?

MW: They are not too bothered. No, they are okay. It was fine. They are excited but it was very well managed so it was all fine.

JB: Did you have any shrimps on the barbecue?

MW: Loads of shrimps on the barbie. I think there was a saint, the Italians will know, that we had Mary MacKillop made a saint. That is big news in Australia, but obviously not big news everywhere else, so that's what the main news was. I had to watch that for seven days.

FA: I stayed in Asia, south of Japan, a little island. Did some training, playing golf, nothing exciting.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (Joris Fioriti - AFP): For Jenson and Lewis. Would you say that this is your very last opportunity for the title? If you miss this one, mathematically speaking it is still possible, but it will be harder.

JB: Every time we go to a race it seems this is the critical race. It is obviously a lot more difficult for us to win the World Championship this year but we have seen in past seasons that anything is possible. We have all had failures this year. We have all had issues, so it is definitely still possible even after this event if it is mathematically possible.

LH: The same.

Q: (Frederic Ferret - L'Equipe): The Red Bulls seem quickest in qualifying, so for the two Red Bull drivers can you explain why it is so fast and do you think you will have the pole on Saturday? For the three others, do you think you can beat them and do you have a special thing to beat them on Saturday?

MW: Well, obviously Seb has had a good run in qualifying. He has had a few pole positions and I have had some poles as well. As you say the car is pretty quick on Saturday afternoon. We have adjustable front ride height suspension which has been running since the start of the year and that works well and then we put the car back up for Sunday. Lots of things have been good for us and we try to do the same job on Saturday.

SV: As Mark said we have this big lever for the ride height. I think that is the secret for Saturday.

Q: (MC) The other three, do you feel you can beat the Red Bulls, either to pole position or the race itself?

LH: I think it's possible, anything's possible, and I think you can tell that us, as a team, and the Ferraris as well, are pushing very hard because I don't think the gap is that big, so it's not impossible. We've outqualified them... what was it, one race maybe? So they've had more than a few pole positions but no, I think we can close the gap, hopefully.

JB: Yeah, they have had the advantage this season in qualifying. If you look at the last few races we have got closer. That's an area where we struggled a little bit at the start of the year but over the last few races we've been a lot closer, which is good. I know everyone's bringing new packages to the circuit but I've got to say a big thanks to the guys for bringing the parts that we have here which should hopefully make a difference but we have to wait and see if that is correct. FA: I prefer to beat them on Sunday.

Q: (MC) Can I continue a bit on that: Mark, it has been said that you are a bit worried about the first sector, even to the extent that if the two of you are on the front row, that the advantage of your rivals could mean that you're not in the lead by the end of the first sector.

MW: Yeah, that could happen, but there's another 300kms to go after that. Look, it was the same at Spa. We knew that we were going to be quite vulnerable up the hill there. Obviously we didn't even get into the lead at the start, initially, there. So there are some tracks where the first sector is different than other circuits but you can only do what you can on the day so, yeah, if, if you're not leading at the end of the first lap, for sure you can still make an interesting race from there. That's what you always look to do: put your best foot forward. Yeah, we're ready for most things, so we shall see how we go.

Q: (Jaime Rodriguez - El Mundo) Mark and Sebastian, the last team that tried to win the championship with two drivers was McLaren in 2007 and this story didn't finish very well. What do you fear now?

MW: Well, for sure the Spanish probably want this. No one in this room knows what's going to happen in the next three races, nobody. We can talk here for hours about what we're going to do, what's going to happen, this and that, upside down, inside out. No one knows, so we're going to go out there, do our stuff, clearly Seb and I have had a good season. We're both in with a chance of doing quite well in the championship and also the team is doing well in the Constructors', because of both of us obviously are getting quite a few points. If there's a point, in the future, where we have to race each other again then we will do what we always do and that's obviously try to get the best result out of whatever situation we have. Irrespective if I'm racing Fernando or JB or Lewis or Seb is that I know that I need to finish races, all of us know that, so that's always in the front of your mind, but you're not going to give positions up either, so it's always a balancing act. That's what it comes down to: the racing. All the other stuff isn't important.

SV: Yeah, not much to add. What happened in 2007 happened for a reason. Kimi (Räikkönen) had quite a bad chance of winning the championship with two races to go, at the time 17 points behind. Of course he showed it's possible but he also did his maximum and he won those races but it also required the others not to finish in the points or not to finish high up, so I don't think you can really compare... I think it will be different this year.

Q: (Marc Surer - Sky TV Germany) I have a question for Alonso: Fernando you have had some engine problems at the beginning of the season. Do you still have enough engines to finish the season?

FA: I think we are OK. Obviously the first problems with the engine in race two and race three gave us a more difficult situation, no doubts, but I think from there on we planned the year, the championship in a different way and so far the situation has been under control, so we should have no concerns for the remaining races and everything is OK for us.

Q: (Joris Fioriti - AFP) Mark, you know that if you win one race and score podiums at the others you will have your destiny in your own hands. Do you sometimes calculate that or never take that into consideration?

MW: It's ridiculous to start calculating things because a lot of things can happen. As you say: I win the next two races, it's all over anyway in terms of doing well. But this is another event, another race here and (I must) keep doing what I'm doing. As I say, the gap has been edging away, the right way in the last few races. I need to try to do that. Then just keep doing our best, that's the most important thing. I'm doing my best and then hopefully the result will take care of itself.

Q: (Bianca Leppert - Auto, Motor und Sport) For everbody, do you think that on Friday and Saturday morning it will be a race itself to find the right set-up or are all the three top teams on one level?

MW: It's a new venue, clearly, so we obviously have good simulation tools to understand what we expect to a certain point, but the big unknown is obviously what sort of grip level the track will give to us in the cockpit and how the tyres will work. We'll have a look at that tomorrow and then use a lot of that, obviously, for Friday going into Saturday. Everybody's in the same boat, I think we're all imagining that the track won't be incredible in terms of grip but it might be a surprise if we have some grip to play with, so let's see how tomorrow goes. I think for everyone it's the same boat, it's not that difficult with what we face.

Q: (Jonathan Legard - BBC Sport) Question to all of you: how much have you achieved what you expected to this season? Fernando, you said it was your best season to date; does that also include winning the championships with Renault as well?

FA: Well, it's not finished, so we will see how the year ends, but in terms of happiness, in terms of motivation, driving, the team itself etc., it's the best one. Obviously it will be nice to become champion this year but even if we cannot do it, I will anyway have great, great memories of 2010.

MW: Well, I think all of us to sit at the first qualifying session at Bahrain and say that with threeraces to go you're going to be leading the championship is virtually... that is obviously the highest position you can be in with three races to go, so it's a high bar to set yourself expectation-wise and also for the team, because we know what level of competition we have. We totally respect our rivals and they're great operations, so that's why you need to keep your goals in check but on the same side be optimistic and positive and well-driven within yourself that you can achieve great things and clearly Fernando has achieved more things in the past but for me this year has been an incredible season, a real highlight with many special victories for me and a lot of races which I have really, really enjoyed. Also the team chemistry - obviously we've had a few little bobbles here and there - but with adversity people learn a lot about themselves as well. So there has been some good stuff from our team and also from myself in terms of learning about the sport and it's been good. Clearly it's been my best season to date, so I'm happy with it so far.

SV: Well, I think after last season the expectation was to fight for the championship and with three races to go I think all of us are in a position to do so, some better, some worse, but that's racing in the end. Sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're probably not. You spoke about Fernando's engine problems earlier in the season. I think it's normal to have ups and downs, sometimes you have more, sometimes less, but as I said, the expectation was probably to be in a position to fight for the championship and I think we are in a very strong and very good position. I think so far we have fulfilled our expectations and there's still a bit to go.

LH: I never have any expectations. I'm happy where I am, we're still in the fight for the championship, so it's not a bad position to be in.

JB: For me it's been a fun year. Last season was obviously very special for me. I'd been in the same team for seven years, so to move teams was a challenge and it's something I've really enjoyed this year, working with McLaren, working with Lewis. I've really enjoyed the situation I've found myself in. I still know there's more to come. There are only three races left and with the partnership and the team, for me, I'm very happy. There is still more to come. I'm enjoying my life right now and I've enjoyed this season very much. I've had some really fun races, a couple of victories. I'd like to have won more races, but there are still three more to go, so we will give it a go.

[MIKA27]

FP1: Hamilton top in first Korean practice

Lewis Hamilton made the best start possible for his race preparations in Korea as he secured the top spot ahead of Robert Kubica by eight hundredths.

Jaime Alguersuari became the first man ever to set a 'competitive' lap-time on the new Korean circuit, although his 2:20 benchmark was easily beaten on his second lap.

The first impressions of the track were quite critical as the drivers complained of very poor grip levels, although as the session progressed and the rubber increased, the negativity waned.

Several drivers made some errors as they pushed the limits, namely Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Kubica and Jenson Button.

The biggest incident of the session came when Bruno Senna's left-rear suspension failed and put his Hispania into a spin resulting in a lengthly yellow flag.

Korean Free Practice 1 Results:

1. L. Hamilton McLaren 1:40.887

2. R. Kubica Renault 1:40.968

3. N. Rosberg Mercedes 1:41.152

4. S. Vettel Red Bull 1:41.371

5. J. Button McLaren 1:41.940

6. M Schumacher Mercedes 1:42.022

7. M. Webber Red Bull 1:42.202

8. N. Heidfeld Sauber 1:42.293

9. N. Hulkenberg Williams 1:42.678

10. R. Barrichello Williams 1:42.883

11. V. Petrov Renaut 1:42.896

12. F. Massa Ferrari 1:43.054

13. K. Kobayashi Sauber 1:43.309

14. A. Sutil Force India 1:43.602

15. F. Alonso Ferrari 1:43.928

16. S. Buemi Toro Rosso 1:43.940

17. V. Liuzzi Force India 1:44.887

18. J. Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1:45.141

19. T. Glock Virgin 1:45.588

20. J. D'Ambrosio Virgin 1:46.613

21. H. Kovalainen Lotus 1:47.115

22. S. Yamamoto Hispania 1:50.347

23. B. Senna Hispania 1:50.821

24. J. Trulli Lotus 1:51.701

[Pilot]

This thread, news feed really, beats many dedicated sites hands down.

[winelover]

  Pilot said:

This thread, news feed really, beats many dedicated sites hands down.

Ditto. Well done Mika.

[MIKA27]

  Pilot said:

This thread, news feed really, beats many dedicated sites hands down.

Thanks Pilot and Graham Uk, very much appreciated gents!

Hope you all enjoy the Korean GP.

[MIKA27]

Qualy: Vettel claims inaugural Korean pole

Sebastian Vettel claimed pole position for the Korean GP as the Red Bulls once again came to the fore in qualifying.

With the Championship five all seeking the best possible starting position for Sunday's race, it appeared as is Fernando Alonso had the jump on his rivals, holding the P1 slot as the chequered flag fell.

But a late dash from Red Bull's Vettel and Mark Webber put paid to the Ferrari driver's attempts.

Vettel crossed the line with a 1:35.585 to take pole by 0.074s over his team-mate Webber while Alonso had to settle for third place.

Lewis Hamilton was next in line, qualifying in fourth place, while his team-mate Jenson Button could only manage the seventh best time and will line up behind both Nico Rosberg and Felipe Massa.

Full report to follow...

Times

01. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:35.585

02. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:35.659

03. Alonso Ferrari 1:35.766

04. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:36.062

05. Rosberg Mercedes 1:36.535

06. Massa Ferrari 1:36.571

07. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:36.731

08. Kubica Renault 1:36.824

09. Schumacher Mercedes 1:36.950

10. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:36.998

11. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:37.620

12. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:37.643

13. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1:37.715

14. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:37.783

15. Petrov Renault 1:37.799

16. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:37.853

17. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:38.594

18. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:38.955

19. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:40.521

20. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:40.748

21. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:41.768

22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:42.325

23. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:42.444

24. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:43.283

[MIKA27]

Hispania fined for tyre warmer error

Hispania Racing have been fined $5,000 after Sakon Yamamoto was released from his garage with a tyre warmer still attached.

The incident, which occurred during Friday's practice session, required one of the Hispania mechanics to retrieve the offending article from the pit exit.

The team's actions breached articles 23.1(j), 30.7 and 30.9 of the sports regulations. Article 23.1 states that: "It is the responsibility of the competitor to release his car after a pitstop only when it is safe to do so."

MIKA: HRT wont be happy with that, they may start looking for a new driver now who can bring enough cash to cover that small fine.

[MIKA27]

Domenicali admits to engine concerns

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has revealed any engine failure for Fernando Alonso this season will mean the end of his Formula One world title hopes.

A driver is allowed to use a maximum of eight engines throughout the course of the 19-race season, a figure Alonso reached a few grands prix ago.

The team have since been eking out the mileage from previously used engines still in service in the hope Alonso can reach the end of the season.

One problem and a change of engine will see Alonso serve a 10-place grid penalty, and with his title hopes on the line, that is a consequence he can ill afford.

Asked whether Alonso is likely to run out of engines, Domenicali replied: "I really hope not.

"If that happens then it will be tremendously difficult to fight to the end.

"What we have been able to do is manage the mileage with existing engines, and this is our plan. Hopefully we will manage up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"If we have any reliability issues it will be really traumatic as it would be almost impossible then to recover the points we would need if we want to continue to fight with Red Bull and McLaren.

"We cannot really have any problems otherwise it is finished."

Domenicali admits the warmer conditions in Brazil and Abu Dhabi could pose a problem in comparison to the currently cooler climes in Korea ahead of Sunday's inaugural grand prix.

With the team unable to impose limitations on the engine, Domenicali added: "It is a matter of how much mileage you can do on an engine. This is the only thing.

"We have extended the use of it, but we need to be careful not to overheat anything, that in terms of temperature we are not aggressive.

"This is something we need to make sure above all for the hot races that we will have after Korea."

[MIKA27]

FIA to tweak pit-lane entry after complaints

The FIA has taken the decision to make some last minute changes to the Korean circuit, notably the pit-lane entrance which has been of concern for a handful of drivers.

The final corner of the circuit is a sweeping, blind, right-hander which feeds onto the start/finish straight at over 250km/h. However, the pit entrance takes a similar line as those completing another lap, therefore drivers have made the FIA aware that they may have to brake sharply to avoid rear-ending a car entering the pits.

Jenson Button was just one of a handful of drivers to express some concern. "They've done a fabulous job with the place," he said. "The only worry I have is the pit entry, which I think is a bit dangerous.

"I haven't been behind a car yet when he's pitted, but it's a corner when you're at full speed - 250km/h on the exit - and if someone goes in the pits, they have to lift quite heavily. It's a little bit scary!"

To address the problem, the FIA's race director Charlie Whiting has promised to remove the white line dictating the path drivers must take into the pits. This will allow the drivers to take a more aggressive and faster approach into the single-lane entrance.

Another area given some attention is the final kerbing at turn 18. This will be extended to avoid drivers kicking up dirt and stones onto the track and into the path of following cars.

[CanuckSARTech]

Congrats on breaking 100 pages of news and articles on your F1 thread, Mika. Well done, senor.

[Baldy]

10 min till the start of the Korean GP. Rain on a new track. Should be interesting.

[MIKA27]

  CanuckSARTech said:

Congrats on breaking 100 pages of news and articles on your F1 thread, Mika. Well done, senor.

Thanks very much Canuck.

[MIKA27]

  Baldy said:

10 min till the start of the Korean GP. Rain on a new track. Should be interesting.

Theres a load of water on track, 10 laps in under safety car, the sun is setting, thus far quite slow, boring and it may end up being cancelled....?

[MIKA27]

Korean GP: Alonso Wins Chaotic Race

Fernando Alonso claimed the inaugural Korean GP win and the lead in the title race, helped in part by Red Bull's first double DNF of the season.

The start of the race was delayed by ten minutes due to heavy rain and once under way only three laps took place before the Safety Car before it was red flagged. 45 minutes later, the race resumed, again behind the Safety Car, where 13 laps were spent rubbing off the water as some drivers grew more and more impatient.

The race finally got underway proper on lap 18 with Vettel leading his team-mate Mark Webber. But two laps later, the Aussie's race was over as he crashed out after touching the dirty, muddy side of the track, taking out Nico Rosberg in the process.

Webber's crash left it to his title rivals to fight for the victory and the much-needed 25 points with Vettel storming away from the chasing Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. And although Hamilton did get the jump on Alonso in the battle for second place when the Ferrari driver had a slow pit stop, a mistake from Hamilton at one of the many re-starts after a Safety Car allowed the Spaniard back up into second.

Vettel maintained his lead all the way through to lap 46 when disaster struck as his Renault engine blew putting an end to his race. Alonso and Hamilton took over at the front with the Ferrari driver holding a two second advantage over the McLaren.

Alonso went on to win the grand prix, taking the lead in the Drivers' Championship with 231 points while

Hamilton's P2 finish ensured he stayed in the hunt for the World title. He is now third in the standings behind Webber, 21 points behind the new Championship leader.

Felipe Massa claimed third place in the grand prix, finishing ahead of Michael Schumacher, Robert Kubica, Tonio Liuzzi, Rubens Barrichello and Kamui Kobayashi.

As for Jenson Button, the fifth driver in the title race, his bid is all but over after a P12 finish saw him drop to 42 points behind Alonso.

Full report to follow...

Results

01. Alonso Ferrari 2h48:20.810

02. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 14.999

03. Massa Ferrari + 30.868

04. Schumacher Mercedes + 39.688

05. Kubica Renault + 47.734

06. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes + 53.571

07. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1:09.257

08. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1:17.889

09. Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari + 1:20.107

10. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth + 1:20.851

11. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:24.146

12. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 1:29.939

13. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth + 1 lap

14. Senna HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps

15. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps

Did Not Finish

Sutil Force India-Mercedes 63

Vettel Red Bull-Renault 62

Petrov Renault 56

Glock Virgin-Cosworth 48

Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 47

Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 42

Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 42

Webber Red Bull-Renault 35

Rosberg Mercedes 35

[MIKA27]

Brawn 'totally committed' to Merc GP

Ross Brawn has denied speculation that he's looking to step down from Mercedes GP, although admits he is ready to move away from the front line.

Having sold his Championship-winning Brawn GP team to Mercedes at the end of last season, Brawn remained at the helm, taking the role of team boss.

However, recent rumours claim he's keen to step down, something Brawn insists he's not yet ready to do but that doesn't mean he isn't putting structures in place for when he does.

"I want to spend more time at the factory to be honest, because when you are spending so much time at the races it is difficult to devote time to the factory - and we have a lot going on," he said.

"We are developing the organisation and are very excited about how the organisation is developing for the future, so it is just perhaps looking for a different balance for the future, but it's not for the next few years.

"Every organisation should be structured to have someone to replace them, because you never know when that bus comes around the corner. You have to have an organisation that would cope."

The Englishman added that he is " totally committed for the next few years and I want this team to succeed.

"I hope it can and also in a way do what I did at Ferrari, which was leave a good structure behind. Everybody has to have a succession plan and we will have one."

[MIKA27]

Sun: FIndia, Williams, Sauber, STR

Tonio Liuzzi scored for Force India in Korea as did both Williams and Sauber drivers while Jaime Alguersuari was beaten to the final point on last lap...

Force India:

Tonio Liuzzi: "What a crazy race today, a bit like Australia back at the start of the year, and it was very fun to be out there. It was the right decision to delay the start as there was so much water on the track. Unfortunately we had to do a lot of laps behind the safety car after that but the track was so slippery that it was really hard under braking. Then at the end it was like a night race without any lights and the steering wheel lights were so bright it was almost dazzling! Even though there was so little grip I was able to get into a good rhythm and get a great result for the team. After all the bad luck we've had in this part of the year it's brilliant to be back in business and up there in the points again, extending our advantage over Williams and setting ourselves up well for the last two races."

Adrian Sutil: "Conditions were pretty tough throughout the race and it was the right decision to start behind the safety car. When the track dried a bit I made a pit stop and tried to do the whole race on the intermediate tyres. I was just struggling with my brakes all the time. I had so much brake force that I always locked up and it was hard to drive consistently. There were a lot of times I was off the circuit, or locked up, and then got past a driver and went off the road. In the end I tried to overtake Kobayashi but lost the car on a patch that was a bit more wet than I expected and went into the side of him. I'm not happy with my performance, it was not a good race for me personally, but I'm pleased that the team did well with Tonio and the sixth position. I'll now be looking forward to the next race in Brazil."

Williams:

Rubens Barrichello: "It was a tough race, but we were competitive today. I was lucky with the timing of the safety car and we were running in a good position right up until the closing stages. Unfortunately, I just ran out of tyre in the last five laps which cost us two places in the end. It was very difficult out there today so I'm pleased we managed to complete the race."

Nico Hulkenberg: "We did everything right today; we simply had some bad luck. I came in just before the safety car was released which cost me time and lost me a place. We managed to claw back position and were running in sixth towards the end of the race, but then my engineer told me I had a slow puncture. I couldn't keep running until the end as the car was totally undriveable. We had to pit and that cost us a big result today."

Sauber:

Kamui Kobayashi: "It was obviously a strange race day with the delay and the start behind the safety car. But for me it was okay to do it this way, as in the beginning I could not see anything behind the safety car. Poor visibility and a lack of grip were today's problems. When we changed to intermediate tyres when the safety car came out again after 19 laps it was very difficult to drive, as it was very slippery. When Adrian Sutil attacked me I stayed on the inside and didn't change line. I saw him in the mirror and had the impression he was not going to be able to brake or something like that. We touched but luckily my car wasn't damaged too much and I was able to continue. For the last laps I found the visibility very, very bad again. This time it was not because of spray but due to the darkness."

Nick Heidfeld: "I am happy to have scored again. It was not easy today to keep track of what was happening in the race. I think it was the right decision to delay the start, as before then the visibility had been down to zero. We changed onto intermediates quite early. In hindsight it was actually too early as it wasn't easy to stay on the track, although we managed it, and then the conditions improved. After a lot of laps, and on a drying track, at the end the tyres were gone, but I think others had the same problem. I could not really defend my position against Adrian (Sutil) because, with the mirrors being so dirty, I just could not see him. I knew from the radio he was there, but I only saw him when he was beside me. For me racing in the darkness was on the edge, but I still felt I could see okay."

Toro Rosso:

Jaime Alguersuari: "We missed out on a good opportunity to score points today, so I am very disappointed, because just getting to the finish was an achievement given how many cars did not manage to do that. I obviously lost out most during the pit stop, when a technical problem meant I went into the pits in ninth place and came out in fifteenth place. Throughout the race, I lacked speed down the long straights and that is why it was hard to move back up the order, then at the end, when I had finally managed to get into the points, I could do nothing against Hulkenberg, who was faster in a straight line and was on new tyres. It is hard to be competitive when you lack the top speed, because it also means we ran less downforce than others in order to make up for that, so it is harder to manage the tyres in this situation. I just hope we can have a better weekend in Brazil."

Sebastien Buemi: "I think it was the right decision to spend so much time behind the Safety Car because the visibility was so poor. The asphalt did not seem to drain very well. I am disappointed with my race as I think there was plenty of potential for me this afternoon. I was running as high as seventh before the accident as everyone had stopped to change tyres. My pace was good and I was able to pass Kobayashi, Heidfeld and the Lotus and Virgins and it was going really well. We lost the chance to score some real points today. The accident? I braked late and locked the front wheels, so I could not turn and ended up going straight on and hitting Timo. I am sorry for him."

[MIKA27]

Sun: Ferrari, McLaren, Merc, Renault

Fernando Alonso claimed the victory in Korea and the lead in the Drivers' Championship, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.

Ferrari:

Fernando Alonso: "It is a great feeling winning this way, as it was a very difficult victory, given the track conditions. Especially at the start, the situation on track and in terms of visibility was really precarious. That was the most worrying time, because I knew it would be an achievement just to stay on the track. We had never driven here in the wet and so there was no reference point. Webber's retirement slightly changed our approach because, all in all, it would have been sufficient to finish on the podium without taking too many risks. The final stages were particularly difficult because half the track was almost dry and the tyres were getting ruined really quickly. I witnessed both Red Bull problems from very close up: in these situations you try and stay super-concentrated, because you are coming from a high speed corner and there is no time to think. Clearly, this was a great help for our championship chances, but luck proves that Formula 1 is not just about the maths! If you then think about what happened at races such as Valencia and Silverstone, you can really say that what goes around comes around. Now there are still fifty points up for grabs: Red Bull are still favourite, but we will continue to do our utmost and try to always get onto the podium. The car has improved so much in the second half of the year thanks to continuous updates: maybe we have come away with more than we expected, but we know the situation can change from one weekend to the next. All the same, these results are fully deserved by the team and my dream is to see everyone in it happy..."

Felipe Massa: "A great result at the end of a very difficult race. I am very pleased, for myself and for the team. Fernando did a great job. After two poor weekends, I am happy to have stepped up onto the podium once again. I also want to thank the race director who did an excellent job of managing the situation, making the right decisions as to when to start the race and when to bring in the Safety Car at the right moment. By the end, it was almost dark and the intermediate tyres were deteriorating, especially the rears: there is a light on the steering wheel which is very bright and in these conditions it was quite distracting. We were a bit lucky, but we also did a good job, proving to be competitive even on this track. How will things go in Interlagos and Abu Dhabi? It's hard to say, as the two tracks are very different one to the other. It will be important to have a car capable of fighting for a podium place and then try not to make any mistakes."

McLaren:

Lewis Hamilton: "At the start, I just wanted to get out there. I love racing, and I thought it was safe enough - 17 laps spent running behind the Safety Car isn't good for the spectators, and it's not fun for the drivers either. Additionally, I felt it had easily dried up enough for us to start racing - so I'm glad we did. It was very tricky out there, particularly at the end. It was pitch black, I couldn't see much and my tyres were finished. It was a big surprise to see both Red Bulls go out. Fernando [Alonso] drove really well, but I'm very happy to have scored some points after a couple of disappointing races. However, ours still isn't the fastest car: I was losing a lot of time to Fernando, particularly in the final sector. But I'm sure we'll be working flat-out to fix that back at the McLaren Technology Centre before we head to Brazil. We've got two races ahead of us - we have more coming for the car, and the guys back at the factory are doing a great job. Everyone is really enthusiastic and is pushing as hard as they can. The championship definitely isn't out of reach - we can still do this."

Jenson Button: "I just didn't have enough grip today. I was really struggling with locking fronts as soon as I touched the brakes; every time I braked for a corner, I went straight on because I couldn't stop the car. Also, I lost three or four places when Adrian [sutil] decided to drive me off the circuit - I don't know what he was thinking. Even without that, though, I didn't really have the pace today. In my view, for sure, the race should have been stopped earlier than it was - it was way too dark to race a Formula 1 car in the conditions we witnessed at the end of the afternoon. To win this championship, I'll now have to rely on the cars in front of me failing, so today was a pretty disappointing day, all in all."

Mercedes GP:

Michael Schumacher: "I am pretty happy with today's race and I have to say thank you to my team who guided me perfectly through the afternoon. I am sure that the spectators had a lot of fun here today at this first Korean race. The FIA did very well to start the race behind the safety car as it absolutely would not have been possible to have a racing start. The only shame for us today was that Nico was put out of the race otherwise we would have seen a very good weekend for our team."

Nico Rosberg: "We had a near perfect weekend with the car that we have until the collision in the race today. Qualifying in fifth place was great yesterday and the car has felt good all weekend. The team has done a great job here and the straightline speed that we had enabled me to overtake Hamilton early in the race. So it's a big shame that my race was ended early. It was really difficult to judge which way Mark's car would go and I took the decision to go left but he spun more and more that way and I just couldn't avoid him. It's a real shame as we could have had a great result today."

Renault:

Robert Kubica: "Fifth place means good points for the team and it's a good reward for all our efforts this weekend. It was a long, difficult race - and a race of two halves. The first part was very tricky for me, because I had big problems warming up the tyres. I had no grip at all and couldn't push - I was just concentrating on keeping the car on the track. For the second half, though, I think it was very good. It was important to look after the intermediate tyres and keep them in as good shape as possible, to get the benefit in the final laps. That was when I managed to gain a lot of positions, which meant everything turned out pretty well in the end."

Vitaly Petrov: "I had stopped early for intermediate tyres on lap 20, so they were pretty worn by the time we started racing after the second Safety Car period. I was still pushing to keep in front of the guys behind me, and I lost the car on the penultimate corner and had a big crash - but I'm okay. This was my first experience of such extreme conditions in F1, and I think the FIA did a good job to let us run behind the Safety Car and understand the circuit before starting the race. The team had made a good call with the change to intermediate tyres, and I was in a strong position in P7 when I crashed. Of course, I am disappointed to end the race in the wall and not in the points, but it was encouraging to be running in the top ten."

[MIKA27]

Sun: Lotus, HRT, Red Bull, Virgin

Lotus and Hispania Racing finished at the back of the pack but at least they finished, something Red Bull and Virgin did not do in Korea...

Lotus:

Heikki Kovalainen: "It was another excellent result for the team today. In tricky conditions like that with people making mistakes, we could have seen our tenth position under threat, but we were there at the end and that is what counts. I really enjoyed the race, and didn't really have any problems that we couldn't deal with - the team made the right calls throughout and that put us in a strong position at the end of the race. It was obviously pretty dark when we finished, but that was the same for everyone. Now we head to Brazil and we have two more races to secure our place as the best of the new teams this year."

Jarno Trulli: "It was a disappointing day but I'm pleased that the team has taken another step towards tenth. I felt that there was a possible hydraulics problem when we were behind the safety car as the power steering was starting to feel very heavy. I really struggled to turn in at the first corner and had a spin, and despite the team trying to get me back out it was all over."

Hispania:

Bruno Senna: "It was a difficult race but I'm very happy. The conditions were very tricky, and we opted to go very long on the same set of tyres. It was quite hard because the tyres were very used, and towards the end of the race it was a question of keeping the car on the track. But fortunately, it all came together and we finished another race as well as being able to achieve my best result so far."

Sakon Yamamoto: "Today, we achieved the best result of the season for our team and we are very happy about this. It was an eventful race and it was the right decision to stop it after the start because there was too much water on the track. Later, during the Safety Car period, some cars changed onto intermediates, but we stayed on the wet tyres as we expected more rain to come. As the track got dry earlier than expected and we were losing time, we also changed to intermediates. I could manage my tyres and set a good pace during the whole race. I want to thank the team, which is working hard all the time and also to the fans who are supporting me."

Red Bull:

Sebastian Vettel: "This is not a nice moment, but I think it was a difficult race for all of us today. To be at the front of the field for the whole race, controlling it and looking after the tyres, I think there's nothing more we could have done. All in all we did an almost perfect job today and also yesterday in qualifying. It was getting dark towards the end of the race; I had a medium visor on my helmet and it was hard to see some of the bumps on the track or the reference for braking, but the guys finished the race so there must have been some visibility. There are still fifty points available in the Drivers' Championship, it would have been easier if we had won today and the engine hadn't have broken, but that's life and how it goes sometimes. We will keep our heads down for the last two races. We have a very strong team and a strong car and we know we are the quickest. I can go to sleep tonight knowing I did everything I could today and we still have everything to play for."

Mark Webber: "It was totally my fault, I got on the kerb on the exit of Turn 12 and it was a very slow-motion moment off the back of that kerb - it was my mistake and it wasn't my day. I thought I'd managed to catch it, but I lost the car and made contact with the wall, nothing too heavy, but it was enough to bring the car back to the other side of the track and then Nico (Rosberg) hit me, which wrecked his race as well. Conditions were okay by the time we were racing - on the edge, but okay. Today didn't help me with the Championship, but I can absolutely still win it; this was only my second non-finish of the year. Positions aren't the most important thing, points are and they can change very quickly. I'm back with the others now on points, but there are still two races to go and I'll do my absolute best."

Virgin:

Timo Glock: "This was a very disappointing race, especially after having been in a strong position to achieve a good result. The restart was okay and the track was starting to improve. We had quite good pace in the first part of the race and were clearly the quickest of the new teams. It's just a huge shame that we couldn't finish the race and all because of the mistake made by Buemi. It just seemed that he was all over the place. We now head to Brazil for the penultimate race of the season where I hope we can expect more luck than we found here in Korea."

Lucas di Grassi: "A very frustrating day here in Korea . We had made the correct call by switching to the Intermediate tyre very early in the race and on lap 15 I went out trying to avoid a crash with Yamamoto, who was ahead of me but much slower. Again I was in a good position for a strong result as I was running together with both Saubers and a Toro Rosso after the last safety car period ended. The next stop is my home race in Brazil, so we hope for better things there in two weeks' time."

[MIKA27]

  Bster said:

What a shame for Webber. Hopefully he can go well from here on in.

ps: Congrats Mika27 on 100 pages on the Formula1 thread, a remarkable effort - well done mate!

Cheers Brandan, much appreciated mate!

It is a shame about Webber but as I stated previous pages, Webber will win the WDC with Alonso second place. I just have a feeling and I don't say this because I'm an Aussie, I personally don't really like Webber but he has deservedly driven well the entire season with only 2 DNF's.

[MIKA27]

Fastest lap: Alonso nicks it

Although he got "lucky" with the race victory in Korea on Sunday, Fernando Alonso proved that the pace of his Ferrari was right up there with that of title rivals Red Bull.

Alonso, who won the inaugural Korean Grand Prix after Sebastian Vettel's engine blew close to the finish, posted the best time of 1:50.257 around the Yeongam circuit on circuit.

The Spaniard's time, which was set on lap 42 was 0.118 better than Vettel's best effort which was posted on lap 44. Lewis Hamilton's time of 1:50.430 was a further 0.055 off the Red Bull driver's.

Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa was fourth while the Force India of Tonio Liuzzi outpaced some of the bigger guns to claim the fourth best time with a 1:51.371.

Jenson Button endured a nightmare Korean GP and he was almost two seconds slower than his tema-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Times

1, F Alonso Ferrari 1:50.257

2. S Vettel Red Bull 1:50.375

3. L Hamilton McLaren 1:50.430

4. F Massa Ferrari 1:50.502

5. T Liuzzi Force India 1:51.371

6. R Barrichello Williams 1:51.564

7. R Kubica Renault 1:51.604

8. M Schumacher Mercedes GP 1:51.835

9. J Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1:51.962

10. N Hulkenberg Williams 1:51.982

11. J Button McLaren 1:52.193

12. A Sutil Force India 1:52.601

13. V Petrov Renault 1:53.031

14. K Kobayashi Sauber 1:53.086

15. N Heidfeld Sauber 1:53.263

16. H Kovalainen Lotus 1:55.018

17. S Buemi Toro Rosso 1:56.768

18. T Glock Virgin 1:58.102

19. S Yamamoto Hispania 1:58.313

20. B Senna Hispania 1:59.290

21. M Webber Red Bull 2:00.025

22. N Rosberg Mercedes GP 2:00.652

23. L di Grassi Virgin 2:02.635

24. J Trulli Lotus 2:05.161

[sje]

I was devastated yesterday, Webber basically chocked, if he had of stayed on track he MAY have finished first, knowing in hindsight (hindsight is a wonderful thing) that Vettel was to blow his motor. yesterday’s race was pivotal, he could have all but secured the championship but all he has done is all but lost it.

Horner now must get Webber the next two wins, Vettel although has been much better than Webber lately, will have to play the team roll From now.

I get the feeling the McLaren boys "once out of the championship race by Abu Dhabi" will make it harder for Alonso rather than Webber.

Mika I agree (somewhat) about Webber, he has got the best car (with Vettel) in the best team and does not seem to want his once in a life time opportunity.

Go Aussies (I mean go Webber)

Spiro

[MIKA27]

Renault apologises to Red Bull

Red Bull's engine supplier Renault has apologised to the team for the blown engine that cost Sebastian Vettel victory in the Korean Grand Prix.

Vettel led from the start of Sunday's Formula One race until 10 laps from the finish when his engine gave way.

Earlier, Mark Webber spun out of the race, meaning Red Bull finished without any points for the first time this season.

Webber slipped from leading the championship to second while Vettel fell from second to fourth on a day which team principal Christian Horner described as "cruel" and "appalling."

"Renault must apologise to the whole team for the engine failure on Seb's car," Renault's Fabrice Lom.

"We need to investigate more before giving more details about the failure - it was an engine that was at its third grand prix but it obviously wasn't expected. What a bad result for us, we scored no points after starting on the front row - it's a big disappointment.

"We are still in the battle for both Championships and we will continue to push very hard - we took a hit today, but we will bounce back stronger in Brazil."

[MIKA27]

Schumi praises Safety Car start

Michael Schumacher says FIA race director Charlie Whiting made the right call by starting the Korean GP behind the Safety Car.

With the start delayed by 10 minutes due to heavy rain, proceedings got underway behind the Safety Car. However, after just three laps the grand prix was red-flagged and the drivers sat on the grid for 45 minutes before the conditions were deemed fit for racing.

But even then the racing didn't start for another 14 laps as the drivers toured the track behind the Safety Car, although that didn't stop Schumacher from having two moments, one which actually saw the Mercedes GP driver slide off the track.

"The FIA did very well to start the race behind the Safety Car as it absolutely would not have been possible to have a racing start," said the seven-time World Champ.

With the action finally in full flow on lap 18, Schumacher pulled off a sublime overtaking move to take a position off reigning World Champion Jenson Button.

Helped by the retirements of the two Red Bulls, with Mark Webber taking out Schumacher's own team-mate Nico Rosberg, the German put in a solid showing to finish P4 and thanked his team for their efforts.

"I am pretty happy with today's race and I have to say thank you to my team who guided me perfectly through the afternoon," said the 41-year-old.

"I am sure that the spectators had a lot of fun here today at this first Korean race.

"The only shame for us today was that Nico was put out of the race otherwise we would have seen a very good weekend for our team."

Team boss Ross Brawn was full of praise for Schumacher's P4. "Michael had an extremely good race," he said.

"He took all of his opportunities and drove sensibly in the tricky conditions. We spent the latter part of the race looking after the tyres and making sure that we got through to the end as we didn't think that we could challenge the leaders."

[MIKA27]

Button laughs his way out of the title race

Jenson Button could do little but laugh as his disastrous Korean GP ended with him out the points and all but mathematically out of title race.

Starting sixth, Button admitted even before the very first lap that it would be "very difficult" to retain the World title as all his title rivals were ahead of him on the grid.

And although he had the perfect opportunity to close the gap in the standings given that both Red Bull's retired, Button had a dismal race of his own.

The Brit struggled to get any grip out of his tyres, dropping down the order before finally pitting in a desperate bid to find some grip. Instead, though, he fell all the way down to 16th place.

Spins of his own and from those in front of him did little to help his cause and Button eventually finished down in 12th place in the dark, almost a minute and a half behind race winner Fernando Alonso.

"I can't do anything but laugh, that was an hysterical race," he said.

"I just had no grip. I was pretty much the slowest car out there. It was a pretty horrific day.

"The race should have been stopped earlier. It was way too dark to drive a Formula 1 car."

As for his chances of retaining the Drivers' Championship title, the McLaren driver concedes it's pretty much game over.

"I'm not really (still in the Championship). People would need to have massive problems for me to win. I am not really in it any more."