Korean circuit 'on schedule'

Bernie Ecclestone has insisted that all is well with the Korean GP, despite suggestions that the building of the track had fallen behind schedule.

A visit from the FIA’s Charlie Whiting in July gave the promoters a clear idea of what they need to do to be ready for the October 22-24 race.

“They’re getting on with it,” Ecclestone told Motor Sport. “Like all new events, until it happens it’s a new event, and people won’t believe it. Even when I went to Abu Dhabi three months before the race I thought, ‘This isn’t going to happen.’”

Matters have not been helped by increasing tensions between North and South Korea in recent months, although Ecclestone says that won’t affect the race.

“That’s been going on for a long time. You mean if they started a war? It would probably be difficult, the spectators wouldn’t come to the race if there’s a war, which wouldn’t be good. But I shall be there…”

Yung Cho Chung, the CEO and president of the Korea Auto Valley Corporation, said that everything is on schedule.

“Our preparation and construction is under control and will be completed in August. Pre-inspection from the FIA is already done, and Charlie Whiting is quite happy with our progress. Now he is checking a report every day.”