Ecclestone: Not looking good for Korea
#1
09-27-2010, 08:03 AM
Ecclestone: Not looking good for Korea
From PlanetF1.com:
Korean GP organisers have been given until October 11 to get their track ready as Bernie Ecclestone expressed doubts for the first time that the race will go ahead.
Ordinarily a new venue should be fit for purpose 90 days before an event is scheduled, but to accommodate Korea on the calendar, that rule has been stretched to breaking point.
It means a decision will be made just 11 days before a car is due to officially take to the circuit for Friday practice on October 22, with the race to follow on the 24th.
The FIA confirmed the date of safety delegate Charlie Whiting's next inspection, which will be the day after the Japanese Grand Prix.
"It's not good," said Ecclestone, speaking in Singapore. "It should have been inspected maybe six weeks ago, which it was, but it wasn't passed.
"We normally have a 90-day check before a race and now we are sort of putting this off. It's quite dangerous what we've done actually.
"I mean, it's a case of 'do we cancel the race or not?' They say it is all going to be okay, so we hope they are right."
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has expressed his concerns regarding the race, in particular as it would be detrimental to his Drivers' chances of winning the title.
Following Sunday's grand prix in which Jenson Button finished fourth and Lewis Hamilton retired for the second successive race, the duo are now 20 and 25 points behind Championship leader Mark Webber.
"We would like 100 points and four races, but from what we hear there are a lot of concerns," said Whitmarsh.
"Bernie and the Koreans will work on that, and we will concentrate on going to Suzuka and maximising the points."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has admitted to chatting to Ecclestone earlier today and appears convinced the race will go ahead.
Red Bull conducted a number of demonstration laps three weeks ago with Karun Chandhok at the wheel, with on-board footage showing that much work still needed to be done.
Despite that, Horner said: "I think we will definitely be in Korea.
"I had a chat with him (Ecclestone) earlier, and he now seems pretty confident.
"We were there a few weeks ago and they were well on course with it, so we're pretty confident."
Korean GP organisers have been given until October 11 to get their track ready as Bernie Ecclestone expressed doubts for the first time that the race will go ahead.
Ordinarily a new venue should be fit for purpose 90 days before an event is scheduled, but to accommodate Korea on the calendar, that rule has been stretched to breaking point.
It means a decision will be made just 11 days before a car is due to officially take to the circuit for Friday practice on October 22, with the race to follow on the 24th.
The FIA confirmed the date of safety delegate Charlie Whiting's next inspection, which will be the day after the Japanese Grand Prix.
"It's not good," said Ecclestone, speaking in Singapore. "It should have been inspected maybe six weeks ago, which it was, but it wasn't passed.
"We normally have a 90-day check before a race and now we are sort of putting this off. It's quite dangerous what we've done actually.
"I mean, it's a case of 'do we cancel the race or not?' They say it is all going to be okay, so we hope they are right."
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has expressed his concerns regarding the race, in particular as it would be detrimental to his Drivers' chances of winning the title.
Following Sunday's grand prix in which Jenson Button finished fourth and Lewis Hamilton retired for the second successive race, the duo are now 20 and 25 points behind Championship leader Mark Webber.
"We would like 100 points and four races, but from what we hear there are a lot of concerns," said Whitmarsh.
"Bernie and the Koreans will work on that, and we will concentrate on going to Suzuka and maximising the points."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has admitted to chatting to Ecclestone earlier today and appears convinced the race will go ahead.
Red Bull conducted a number of demonstration laps three weeks ago with Karun Chandhok at the wheel, with on-board footage showing that much work still needed to be done.
Despite that, Horner said: "I think we will definitely be in Korea.
"I had a chat with him (Ecclestone) earlier, and he now seems pretty confident.
"We were there a few weeks ago and they were well on course with it, so we're pretty confident."
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bookmarks
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)