Round 16 of the 2012 Formula One championship sees the teams make a relatively short journey from Suzuka across the Sea of Japan to the South Korean port city of Mokpo and the nearby Korean International Circuit.
The circuit, completed just in time for the inaugural race here in 2010, presents some stern challenges for the teams, mostly centred around how to maintain the integrity of the tyres around its 5.615km distance. With the facility being used very infrequently, the Yeongam circuit is always dirty during the weekend’s opening sessions and is low on grip. To cope with this Pirelli has brought its softest compounds. However, the circuit also has a relatively abrasive surface and a mix of mostly medium and high-speed corners, so lateral loads are high and wear rates can be debilitating. The tyres take a beating as a consequence. Good management of rubber could be the deciding factor here in Korea.
Drivers’ Championship leader Fernando Alonso suffered a shock first-lap exit in Suzuka and the incident leaves the chase for the 2012 title finely balanced. Sebastian Vettel’s win in Japan has put the Red Bull Racing driver within touching distance of the Ferrari man’s increasingly fragile lead in the standings and Alonso has thus called the final five races of the season a “mini-championship". If that’s the case then, with just four points separating him from Vettel, the Spaniard needs a big result in round one in Korea to keep his title hopes alive.
Vettel, meanwhile, became the first driver to score consecutive wins this season with victory in Suzuka and the momentum now seems firmly with the defending champion. But the KIC has been both cruel and kind to the German, with a DNF in the inaugural race being followed by victory last year. He’ll be hoping for a repeat of 2011 but if the teams and drivers have learned one thing this season it is to expect the unexpected and this race should be no exception. A fascinating weekend awaits.
DRS ZONE
The DRS zone on the main straight has been extended by 80m. Detection 90m before turn 1, activation 320m after turn 2.
Pirelli will bring its yellow-banded soft and red-banded supersoft tyres to this race. The low-grip nature of the surface here in Yeongam means this race will see the same compounds used as in Monaco, Canada and Singapore.
The main straight at the Korea International Circuit covers 1050m, the fourth longest of the season, after Shanghai International Circuit (1170m), Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina (1140m) and Italy’s Monza (1120m).
Practice 1 Fri 02:00
Practice 2 Fri 06:00
Practice 3 Sat 03:00
Qualifying Sat 06:00
Race Sun 07:00
Coverage live on BBC1
http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/f1_media/Pages/event-information.aspx
2012 Korean Grand Prix Discussion Thread
posted on 14/10/12
Maclaren: 3 mechanical failures in 3 races=1 point for Hamilton=incompetent rubbish
posted on 14/10/12
Mclaren cost Kimi a world championship and have cost Hamilton a couple of championships as well.
A truly incompetent outfit
posted on 14/10/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 14/10/12
button also failed to take any of the leaders out when he crashed. selfish as well as useless.
posted on 14/10/12
To be fair JB has also been shafted by this incompetent team
It's scary that even though JB is the team favourite, they still scuppered his championship
posted on 14/10/12
fair point. i suppose when you look at it like that, every driver's championship has been scuppered by their team excpet for vettel. i reckon i'd be furious right now if i was an f1 driver (unless i was vettel).
posted on 14/10/12
Ferrari have also been excellent this season. They've had no dnfs due to mechanical failure and but for the numpty Grosjean, Alonso would still be leading the championship.
Ferrari get slated a lot but must be applauded for their performance this season
posted on 14/10/12
massa's car's been pretty bad though hasnt it ?
some of his placings have been awful.
posted on 14/10/12
Massa's been awful too
posted on 14/10/12
he's probably been having coaching from twitmarsh