Red Bull drivers look forward to Korean GP

The Korean Grand Prix really is a step into the unknown. The one thing we do know is that there will be cars running around the circuit on Friday...

In a triumph of persistence over pessimism, the circuit and track were signed off last week – but little is still known about the track, its tarmac and how Formula One will be received.

When asked about his feelings, Mark had only simulator laps and pictures and video to go on when he said: “Korea is a new venue for everyone. It looks like a nice layout in terms of the track, we are all optimistic to go there and have a good run and I am looking forward to it.”

Similarly for Seb, it’s more about anticipation than expectation: “I am pretty excited about South Korea: it’s a new race track which means none of us have been there before. while I know the race will take place, I can’t really say anything about the track itself until Friday.”

One man who has driven the circuit in a Red Bull Racing car is Karun Chandhok who did a showcar run for the team there back in September when he described all aspects, track, Paddock and grandstands as needing a bit more time to be finished.

As for the circuit itself: “It’s a really interesting layout”, Karun said. “The track’s got a good mix of corners and I think we’ll see a lot of overtaking in the first sector – there are long straights into slow hairpins. The straight after turn one and two is really long, so we may see some good slipstreaming there, like in Shanghai. From turn seven onwards, there’s a fast section of flowing corners all the way back to the start-finish line – so I think the Red Bull Racing guys will be happy in sectors two and three. It’s an interesting layout and the locations nice, overlooking the sea.”

Here’s Karun’s lap video: