Korean GP preparations on target

The country's first grand prix is scheduled for October 17 2010, and representatives of organisers, the Korean Auto Valley Operation, confirmed on Thursday that everything was in hand.

"It is totally on plan," said Kevin Lee, the general manager of the strategic planning department, at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco on Thursday.

"We have a plan to finish the whole construction work at the circuit on July 5 next year, and up until now it is roughly 60 per cent done. It is really fine.

"We are working together with other people. Tilke is our engineering consultant, and it is very happy with the progress of the construction at the circuit. We've also had visits from the FOM people, and they are happy to see our construction site and our region."

Lee said that getting people to the track should not be a problem, with two airports near the track that is 350 kilometres away from Seoul. However, there were not yet enough hotel rooms near the track to sleep the estimated 120,000 spectators who are expected to attend the event.

"The accommodation for F1 related staff and spectators is not sufficient enough yet, but we can solve all the problems," he said. "We have already talked about it with FOM and other people.

"There is a possibility to rent cruise ships, and I think we will find all the accommodation for spectators and F1 related staff. The F1 staff are our priority and we have found all the hotel rooms for those people."

Korea has also ruled out the event becoming a night race until it has more knowledge of running a grand prix.

"After we have experience of two or three years then we could consider it, but the next few years will be in daylight," explained Lee.