ESPN F1 | Editor’s blog

Posted on 27/09/2010

Work on the track continues at the new Korean Grand Prix circuit © Getty Images

It takes something pretty serious for Bernie Ecclestone to admit that even he has doubts about the ability of organisers to get the less-than-popular Korean International Circuit ready in time for the country’s inaugural grand prix in a month’s time.

The warnings signs have been there for all to see for a long time, and every report which has appeared highlighting how far behind preparations are has been countered with assurances from those running the sport that all is well.

All major untried events tend to be preceded by media panic. The World Cup in South Africa was going to see thousands mugged and attacked, the Sydney Olympics were going to be ruined by wind, and The Athens Olympics were going to take place in a building site. Come the time, all were deemed successes and the predicted chaos did not materialise.

However, it seems quite likely that for once the scaremongering might have substance, and even the most blinkered within the FIA will have been acutely aware of the embarrassment being caused to all those concerned by the shambles that threatens to be the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The great and the good do not want to travel to a remote backwater of Korea to be ridiculed.

Ecclestone will find few with sympathy for his position. Relentless pursuit of money has led to a burgeoning schedule and races which make little sense other than to accountants. His gambles have invariably paid off but in Korea he has agreed to a race nobody wanted at a venue nobody will be able to get to. It needed to be something special for him to pull it off.

The FIA has flouted its own rules and the final inspection, which should have taken place months ago, is now set to happen only weeks before the race weekend.

It may be that Ecclestone’s latest remarks are a final and public warning shot across the bows of the organisers aimed at helping them stagger across the finishing line. For the sake of Formula One and a thrilling finale to the season, we all have to hope so.

Comments

Posted by Anonymous on 27/09/2010

Bernie can pull it off! He never fails!!!

Posted by rahulkhush arora on 27/09/2010

well its true that this year in particular, in many places where the events where about to take place, had shown signs of panic,chaos and chances of failure . But at the end everything worked out just fine, well its gonna be the same for Korean International Circuit, and we would be able to see the new circuit soon in action.

Posted by John B on 27/09/2010

Give them a chance... yes it's been handled badly but Bernie is no fool. I believe it will work out just like Austin will. Remember Bernie restored Silverstone when he had to. And more races in the east is a good thing, so people on Non-European time zones have more races to watch other than at 10pm sunday night.

The only part of me that would rather Korea not go ahead is that which wants Webber's championship chances to be maximised.

Posted by James on 28/09/2010

In the past, Bernie has always threatened teams with legal action whenever they have considered boycotting an event, due to the Concorde Agreement. So, if FOM and FIA fail to provide this 19th race, who will be responsible for refunding 1/19th of all the sponsership money? How will the sponsors feel when their money has been spent on a race that nobody attends? Will it be just like Malaysia, where there were about five people in the stands during qualifying? Will be interesting to watch this play out.

Posted by Victorinox on 28/09/2010

I'll take 1 Spa or 1 Interlagos (both of which are in the list of GPs that could disapear any time now) over 10 Koreas, or 10 Bahrein... Bernie got it all wrong: If you put a good show/race, the money will follow. Bernie got the money from the organizers, but the races have been boring, and the tracks almost empty (look at the Chinese GP).

Posted by Robert Mifsud on 29/09/2010

This is what greed gets you and FOM has greed in abundance. Soulless, empty venues such as Istanbul, Shangai, Korea etc. are taking the place of historic venues such as Imola, Hockenheim/Nurburgring, Spa (very much in threat) etc. Even Silverstone was given the chop only for it's replacement to fail. But these new venues have the money in the short term so Bernie will bleed them dry. When this runs out we'll get some other new soulless circuits as in India, Austin etc.

The backing to the hilt by Bernie of Chandhok is cringeworthy at best. Of course Bernie wants to see him in F1 next year as his presence will potentially make or break the viability of the Indian GP.

On the other hand, us F1 fans are left watching the pinnacle of sporting technology in SD because in Bernie's words the broadcasters don't want to pay for it! Even snooker is shown in HD these days!!

Posted by Joshua on 29/09/2010

Well, the only experience I can claim is that I drove the Korean track on F1 2010, and it was fantastic.
Besides the half finished grand stands, remote location and general crappy grounds, the racing should be fantastic, which will give people a reason to come next year, when everything IS built.

Posted by nevohdniec on 29/09/2010

I live close to the track, and if there is race on oct 24th I be the new queen of the Netherlands,..
There are no stands, except the grand stands, no hotels nearby, only Hyundai Hotel with 100 rooms, no airport Gwangju airport is an hour away, Muan airport is 45 min, nearest train station is Mokpo, 30min from the track, no car parking space ready, no road to the track is completed,...there is absolute nothing there, only rice fields, the food is terrible even for me after 3 yrs in Mokpo, no western restaurant, and for a nice evening out you have to go to Seoul, that is 3 1/2 hrs by KTX train, all in all i never believe there will be a race, maybe the Asian F3 race in november,....

Posted by Homer on 30/09/2010

The only thing that concerns Bernie is did the check clear?

Posted by Adnam on 30/09/2010

How about they stage a virtual round instead using F1 2010. Is would be great viewing watching all the driver lined up against each other.

The Korean track is already complete and ready to go.

Posted by Steven Strauss on 08/10/2010

Bernie is very short. I saw a picture of him with his ex and she towered over him. He looks like a kid, except with grey hair and wrinkles.

Bernie's Korean nightmare