Looks like it’s going to be a wet and wild Korean GP

[Dinesh]

Qualifying for the inaugural Korean Grand Prix just concluded and another Red Bull one-two at the front with Sebastien Vettel leading teammate Mark Webber followed by Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in third.

All that would prove for a very thrilling first corner from the flag off but the best bit is that the Formula One insiders are expecting it to be a wet race day at Yeongam.

While the race weekend has been a dry affair thus far, weather forecasts are putting a fair bit of money on it to rain during Saturday and to carry on to race day morning. That, coupled with the low-grip track from the freshly laid asphalt, could mean more slips and spins than you could shake a chequered flag at.

Furthermore, the chances for rain right at flag off stands at over 50 per cent, enough to make the drivers and teams think twice about their strategies for the race. Regardless, it’s going to be a tough and slippery race no matter the outcome of the weather.

Source: WorldCarFans

 

[6UE5t]

It was raining in the morning, and just saw the live track picture and definitely will start on a wet track! Just exactly what we need, more exciting races! :D :D

 

[yeehau86]

what a race, it was full of dramas and almost concluded in the dark.

 

[6UE5t]

But F1 seems to becoming a bit of a wuss nowadays! I just hate it when they kept it for so long behind the safety car. They should've started racing at least 7-10 laps earlier! For God's sake, it was started behind safety car anyway! In the good old days of the 80s-90s, it would've been another normal standing start. This is motor racing, safety is good but too safe can just make it boring!

 

[yeehau86]

It does makes me annoyed too at the beginning, since this is not the 1st time they conduct a wet race. But after hearing the comments from the commentator, this time is different, what we heard from the drivers that the conditions were totally undrivable. It is more to the track than the weather issue.

The new surface of the track tarmac seems doesn't drain away the water to the side of the road when car pass by. Therefore, this causing the aquaplaning at the beginning with zero visibility. When you have aquaplaning, it is the water that controls the car, no longer you control the car due to the low center gravity of the car. So the driver will be a passenger down the river when he experience aquaplaning, imagine that even at the speed of the safety car they already experience this, not to mention when at racing speed it will be even worse. Somebody might get injured and Charlie Whiting is just doing what is best for both the spectators and the drivers.

---------- Post added at 08:50 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 08:28 AM ----------

by the way, I got to agree that the pitlane entry at turn 18 and the pitlane exit near at turn 1 are really dangerous. The entry from the last corner at the racing line from turn 17 is a risk, something similar with the Singapore GP last year. While the exit of the pit cutting into the circuit is even worse, someone could hit the car exiting the pit at full speed.

 

[xand]

not to forget, there were mud on the track side... some cars was skidded and return back to the track brought in mud to the race track. at the end of the race, these cars ended looking like just finish a rally race! by the way, the race was quite an exciting drama!

 

[6UE5t]

But Hamilton at least maybe around 3-4 laps earlier had said that the track was completely safe to start racing, even almost requiring intermediate tires as the track was already forming a dryer racing line. Of course he might be a bit biased cause he wanted to go racing ASAP to catch up points/positions, but what he said was seen clearly true from the TV. Even Garry Anderson, the expert Star Sports commentator, also complained that they should have started racing at least 5-7 laps earlier. Remember these drivers are supposed to be the best racing drivers in the world, paid the highest salary in the business, they should be able to handle such situations so let them show their worth.

It's ironic that FIA was trying to make it safer, but in the end the race was almost running in the dark which actually even more dangerous!