2012 Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix preview

Only several days after Sebastian Vettel’s excellent display of dominance at the Japanese Grand Prix, Formula 1 has moved swiftly on to Yeongam for the third running of the Korean Grand Prix. First held in 2010 in utterly treacherous weather conditions, the Korean Grand Prix will once again be held around the Korea International Circuit.

With Fernando Alonso spinning out of the Japanese Grand Prix after only 371 meters, the Drivers’ Championship has once again been flown wide open with Sebastian Vettel taking a masterful race victory to reduce Alonso’s Championship advantage to only four points. Kimi Raikkonen remains 3rd in the Championship, but has yet to win a race this season and will be at a minor disadvantage for the next two events as the Finn will need to learn both the Korea International Circuit and the Buddh International Circuit in India.

After being officially confirmed back in 2006, Korea held their first Formula 1 race in 2010. The race was held at the brand new Korea International Circuit, which was subject to major speculation that it would not be ready in time for the date set for the inaugural event. Regardless of these allegations, the race organizers remained positive, stating that the track construction was well ahead of schedule. After race director, Charlie Whiting, visited the track only thirteen days before the race, it was declared that the Korea International Circuit was fit to host its first race.

The inaugural race was held in extremely inclement weather conditions, with the race being delayed for roughly forty minutes before the safety car initially led the opening 17 laps. Once the race turned green, carnage and mayhem ensued which resulted in both Red Bulls failing to finish and Fernando Alonso taking an important victory for Ferrari ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.

Last year’s race was won by the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel, only a week after he clinched his second consecutive Drivers’ Championship at Japan. Lewis Hamilton secured pole for the race, breaking Red Bull’s sensational run of fifteen back-to-back pole positions which began at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Ex-Formula 1 driver Martin Donnelly will reprise his role as the driver representative steward at this weekend’s Korean Grand Prix, a role last held by the Ulsterman back in June for the Canadian Grand Prix. Donnelly incidentally carried out the same role during last season’s Korean Grand Prix, which was the first time he was chosen by the FIA for the role of driver representative.

The DRS zone for this weekend’s Korean Grand Prix has once again been situated along the tremendously long straight after turn 2, however the designated zone has been extended by 80 meters with a hope of increasing overtaking maneuvers into turn 3. The detection zone for DRS is situated 90m before turn 1, with the activation zone situated 320m after turn 2. This comes after the DRS zone for the Japanese Grand Prix was shortened, resulting in little overtaking maneuvers into turn 1.

The Korea International Circuit is by far one of the least exciting venues visited by the Formula 1 fraternity throughout the season, largely due to its design reminiscent of other tracks designed by Hermann Tilke. Either way, it will once again play host to a pivotal chapter in this unique Formula 1 season. Just like in 2010 during it’s inaugural year, the Korean Grand Prix has the ability to greatly alter the Championship standings ahead of the final races of the year.

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