Frustrated F1 circus waiting for Korea guidance

The F1 world continues to wait for news on the Korean GP after Bernie Ecclestone for the first time suggested that that there were doubts over the race.

It would not be unusual to assume that Bernie was sending a message in his typically mischievous way, but considering that the Korean promoter was present in Singapore, he didn’t have to use the media to get it across. The uncertainty his comments have created has not helped anyone.

Most sources continue to suggest that we will go there come what may, although someone close to the action told me at the weekend that it was now 50:50.

Charlie Whiting was due to inspect the track tomorrow, but decided there was no point for the rather fundamental reason that the top surface has not yet been completed. He is instead heading home, and will now go to Korea on the Monday after the Japanese GP. Thus what the FIA’s own rules dictate should have been a 90-day inspection will be held some 10 days prior to the start of the meeting.

And at that stage of course things start to become difficult, because the F1 freight will already be starting its journey from Suzuka, and while many team personnel are due to come home between races, some are scheduled to travel straight to Korea. A cancellation at that late stage will not exactly be convenient for anyone.

Meanwhile the teams are increasingly frustrated in their dealings with the venue, specifically with regard to the unfinished hospitality buildings, and the huge fees that they are being charged to rent them for the weekend.