Circuit info
Korean International Circuit
Interesting facts
Designed by Hermann Tilke, the Korean International Circuit combined a permanent section with a temporary harbourside stretch lined with promenades and yachts, and opened on 11 October 2010 near Yeongam in South Jeolla Province. Heavy rain delayed construction so badly that the FIA's inspection had to be pushed back, and the track was only certified 11 days before the first race, with the asphalt on some sections barely past its first layer. The Korean Grand Prix ran for just four editions, from 2010 to 2013; the roughly $264 million project never recovered its costs, and Formula 1 left early. The pit lane exit, which fed straight onto a corner taken at around 240 km/h, was repeatedly criticised as a safety hazard and had to be modified several times before 2013. The pit exit posed a serious hazard in 2011, when Nico Rosberg ran wide and collided with Jaime Alguersuari as both cars threaded through it; organisers redesigned the exit for 2013 so it rejoined the track at Turn 2 instead. Since its fall from grace after 2013, the circuit has been reduced to hosting the domestic Superrace Championship and occasional Asian series, a far cry from the international ambitions it was built for. The circuit is located in Yeongam County, South Korea. Formula 1 has raced here since 2010, with 4 races held so far, most recently in 2013. The first race here was won by Fernando Alonso, in 2010. The most recent winner here was Sebastian Vettel, in 2013. Sebastian Vettel has won here more than anyone else, 3 times. Among constructors, Red Bull has been the most successful here, with 3 wins. The lap record here is held by Sebastian Vettel, at 1:39.605 (Red Bull, 2011).