View source for Korean International Circuit

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{{Motorsport venue
| Name              = Korean International Circuit <ref name=f1Diagram>{{cite web |url=http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/korea_840/circuit_diagram.html |title=Formula 1™ - The Official F1™ Website (2010 FORMULA 1 KOREAN GRAND PRIX) |accessdate=2010-05-25 |work=formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Administration Ltd }}</ref><ref name=espnKIC>{{cite web |url=http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/circuit/1326.html#circuit_info |title=Korean International Circuit {{!}} Formula 1 circuits {{!}} Korean International Circuit news and live F1 {{!}} ESPN F1 |accessdate=2010-05-25 |last=Furnell  |first=Claire |date=November 2009 |format= |work=espnf1.com |publisher=ESPN EMEA Ltd. }}</ref>
| Nicknames         =
| Time              = [[GMT]] +9
| Location          = [[Yeongam County]], [[South Jeolla]], [[South Korea]]
| Image             = [[File:Korea international circuit v2.svg|260px]]
| Image_caption     = Korean International Circuit
| Capacity          = 135,000
| Owner             = M-Bridge Holdings and Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO)
| Operator          = Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO)
| Broke_ground      =
| Opened            =
| Closed            =
| Construction_cost = $264 million
| Architect         = [[Hermann Tilke]]
| Former_names      =
| Events            = '''[[Formula One]]'''<br />[[Korean Grand Prix]]
| Layout1           =
| Surface           =
| Length_km         = 5.621
| Length_mi         = 3.493
| Turns             = 23
| Record_time       = 1:50.257
| Record_driver     = {{Flagicon|Spain}} [[Fernando Alonso]]
| Record_team       = [[Scuderia Ferrari]]
| Record_year       = {{F1|2010}}
| Record_class      = [[Formula One]]
}}

The '''Korean International Circuit''' is a racetrack being made in Yeongam County, [[South Jeolla]] Province, of [[South Korea]]. This is 400 kilometres from the [[capital (city)|capital]], [[Seoul]]. This track will be 5.684&nbsp;km long. This will be the longest track in [[Asia]]. The main purpose of this track will be [[Formula One]] (F1) races.  F1 will race at this track for at least 7 years starting in  2010.<ref name=espnKIC /> It will also be used for local races.

== FIA approval ==

[[Charlie Whiting]], technical delegate for the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]] completed a two-day inspection on 10 October 2010. While much of the circuit facilities are still under construction, the circuit itself is ready for [[Formula One]] racing.<ref name="bbsGo">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9081589.stm |title=Korean F1 Grand Prix given go-ahead after inspection |accessdate=2010-10-12 |date=2010-10-12 |work=news.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC }}</ref>

Special attention was given to the top layer of asphalt. This final layer was installed the week before the inspection.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/south-korean-grand-prix-gets-the-go-ahead/article1752736/ |title=South Korean Grand Prix gets the go ahead |accessdate=2010-10-12 |date=2010-10-11 |work=theglobeandmail.com |publisher=CTVglobemedia Publishing Inc. |archive-date=2010-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014073814/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/south-korean-grand-prix-gets-the-go-ahead/article1752736/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

FIA rules normally require approval at least 90 days before the race. The FIA had to stretch their own rules to allow the [[Korean Grand Prix]] to take place.<ref name="bbsGo" />

== Track features ==
German designer [[Hermann Tilke]] designed the track. The track has two parts. One permanent part (3.047&nbsp;km) will be used for local races. One temporary part (2.643&nbsp;km) will be joined to the permanent part and be used for F1 races. The track has 18 corners.<ref name=f1Diagram /> The track will be next to a [[lake]], so some people will be able to see the races from their [[boat]]s.<ref name=espnKIC />

== Initial reception ==
A number of problems were uncovered on the first day of practice. Drivers complained about the blind entrance to the pit lane. [[Jarno Trulli]] called it "very dangerous".<ref name="criticism">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9118137.stm |title=F1 drivers criticise 'dangerous' new Korea track |accessdate=2010-10-22 |last=Holt |first=Sarah |date=2010-10-22 |work=news.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC }}</ref><ref name="questions">{{cite news |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/22102010/58/drivers-question-korea-safety.html |title=Drivers question Korea safety |accessdate=2010-10-22 |date=2010-10-22 |work=uk.eurosport.yahoo.com |publisher=Yahoo! and Eurosport. |agency=Reuters }}</ref> A number of cars have bottomed out at turn 16. [[Charlie Whiting]] has asked that the corner be changed.<ref name="criticism" /> The track was slippery and dusty. [[Lewis Hamilton]] said "It was the dirtiest circuit I have ever been on," and "It was so dusty it was incredible."<ref name="questions" /> The problems with the turn 16 was fixed before the qualifying session the next day.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Other websites ==
{{Commonscat}}
* [http://www.KoreanGP.kr Official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308034837/http://www.koreangp.kr/ |date=2020-03-08 }}
* [http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/korea_840/circuit_diagram.html Formula One official Korean Grand Prix page]

{{Formula One circuits}}

[[Category:Formula One circuits]]