The inaugural Formula One Korean Grand Prix is reportedly under threat of cancellation, with construction of the new Korean International Circuit said to be behind schedule ahead of the debut race at the track in October.
The Korean race, the only new circuit on the schedule for 2010, will be staged at a new-build circuit in Yeongam County, 400km from the capital Seoul. Recently the organisers have insisted that the construction is on schedule, and tickets for the event have already gone on general sale.
But according to German magazine 'Focus', the new 5.6 km track may not be ready for the race, currently scheduled for the weekend of the 22nd-24th October, as round 17 of the 2010 championship.
According to the report, concerns over the track's progress led to Bernie Ecclestone travelling to the site after last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix to check on the situation, and that the FOM oligarch will decide whether or not to cancel the race in the coming days.
The Korean track, though designed by renowned F1 track man Hermann Tilke, is being constructed by a third party, with Tilke only acting as an advisor for the project.
Focus quotes the German architect, responsible for almost every new F1 race track in recent history, as expressing concern that the track work was behind schedule.
"For the first time I am concerned that a [Tilke] circuit is not going to be finished on time," Focus quotes Tilke as saying.
The report suggests that Ecclestone will have the option of cancelling the contract with the Korean organisers entirely, or postponing the race's debut on the schedule until 2011.
The issues over the Korea track follow the efforts of America's defunct Champ Car series to stage a Korean round in 2005 and 2006, a race that was postponed in both seasons after issues and delays to the Ansan-based circuit.
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