From the bright lights and bustling city-life of Singapore, Formula 1 heads to the rural Yeongam region in Korea for the 14th round of the 2013 season.
Sebastian Vettel now has a commanding 60 point lead over Fernando Alonso in the driver's standings, with Red Bull Racing dominating the constructor's. Rivals will be hoping for a dose of bad luck and unreliability in Korea to keep their title chances alive.
The Korea International Circuit was only just finished for the inaugural Korean Grand Prix in 2010. The final inspection had been pushed back numerous times but the facility - which cost $77 million to construct - was finally given the green light.
Organisers had originally wanted a race near the South Korean capital of Seoul. However, what they got was a Hermann Tilke designed circuit 400 miles away in the region of Yeongam, situated near the port city of Mokpo.
This created a number of difficulties, mainly housing the thousandths that travel to the race as part of the F1 circus. The track looks very different to the original plans, but the layout has remained unchanged. What has changed was the planned city surrounding the track with shops, hotels and a promenade edging part of the circuit.
Now with a backdrop of sprawling fields, marshland and the ports in the distance, the Korea International Circuit is in a somewhat unusual location for a race track. It can hold 135,000 spectators but attendance has dipped in recent years due to its position and dwindling interest in the sport.
The criticised pit exit has been tweaked for 2013 and will see cars head around the run-off area at the first and second turns before feeding on to the circuit at the exit of turn two. Artificial grass that halted Hamilton's 2012 charge has been replaced by a sturdier alternative and a handful of kerbs have been tweaked too.
The race has a 100% track record of being won by world champions after Fernando Alonso took victory in the inaugural 2010 round - refresh your memory on that race here - and Vettel crossed the line to win in 2011 and 2012.
Alonso shouldn't have won the first Korean Grand Prix though. I should be discussing Vettel's dominance in Korea after taking three consecutive race wins, along with being the only driver to ever finish first in a Formula 1 race at the track. However, an engine failure gifted the win to Alonso after the Ferrari driver got past Lewis Hamilton mid-way through the race.
Vettel took victory in 2011 after starting from second on the grid. He got past pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton on the first lap and was unchallenged to the finish, crossing the line 12 seconds clear of Hamilton and the trailing Mark Webber
It was Webber who had started on pole for the 2012 Korean Grand Prix, two years after crashing out in the torrential conditions of the inaugural round and with it losing points in the championship. However the Aussie wasn't able to hold off Vettel and the German got by at turn one.
Vettel kept a consistent gap to those behind to take the chequered flag eight seconds clear of Webber and Fernando Alonso. The Ferrari driver had held the championship lead since the European Grand Prix at the start of the summer; however he lost it to Vettel in Korea after the German's stunning drive to victory.
Now let's take a look at the 3.489 mile Korea International Circuit. It starts with a trip down the medium length start/finish straight, with the pit lane to the right. The way that the pit exit feeds into the first corner came under criticism during the circuit's first race, particularly after an incident during practice. Nico Rosberg locked-up under braking for turn one, missing the apex. However, Jaime Alguersuari’s Toro Rosso was feeding onto the track at that time, resulting in a collision.
Changes made for the 2011 race included adding a bollard, which drivers must go around before feeding back onto the circuit, and a traffic lights system warning those exiting the pit lane of cars approaching along the pit straight at speed.
The first and second turns make up a double-apex left-hander. The first apex is taken in second gear before cars build up speed and take the second flat out in fourth gear. This is a good overtaking spot and a good exit is key for a good run down the following straight, the longest of the Asian F1 circuits at 1.2 kilometres. Speeds can reach up to 190mph along this straight, which is where the first DRS zone will be positioned.
The straight leads on to the third corner, which is a second gear right-hand hairpin. Due to high speeds that F1 cars reach along the back straight and the heavy braking zone of the third turn, this is the main overtaking spot on the track. However, it is bumpy under braking and lock-ups are a common occurrence, sometimes causing collisions during the race.
A medium length straight follows before cars head into sector two and the fourth corner, a tight second gear left-hand hairpin. The first sector is largely made up of long straights and big stops, but the second sector is very different with a flowing sequence of medium and high speed corners that require a good car balance and rhythm.
The fifth and sixth corners make up a right-left second gear complex that leads on to a gently curving straight. The next corner is a fast right-hander that is followed by a sixth gear left. These are tricky and require precision and higher downforce levels, so cars with more wing will benefit through here. Turn nine is taken in fifth gear, a quick left, before the big stop for turn 10, a tight right-hander that requires a driver to brake on a downward-sloping incline.
A long, 180 degree left-hand hairpin follows before the fast right of turn 12. This then leads drivers into the final sector, modelled on a street circuit and surrounded by walls. The track width is thinner here and overtaking is tricky, making it quite a processional section of track in the race.
The medium-speed corners are grouped close together and drivers must use as much of the track to really get the best lap time, but of course without clouting the wall. Precision is important through here, as is clipping the apex but without taking too much of the big kerbs. Good traction and balance will really help through the final sector.
Turn 13 is a fast left that leads on to the fourth gear right that is the 14th corner on the Korea International Circuit. Turn 15 is a slow left-hander before the speed builds slightly for the 16th turn, another left that leads on to arguably the most challenging corner on the track.
Turn 17 is a long, medium speed right that is surrounded by barriers. The pit entry feeds to the inside of this corner and came under criticism during the first Korean Grand Prix. Some drivers were concerned by the blindness of the corner. Cars entering the pit lane need to slow considerably and will be on the racing line of faster cars behind.
Changes were made in reaction to the complaints with the inside wall being moved backwards to improve visibility. A good entry is key to follow speed through and on to the pit straight and the second DRS zone, which follows Turn 18 - a fast left-hand kink. The typical line going through the last corner is straight-line it altogether, running over almost all of the kerbing.
Heading to this year's round, Vettel looks dominant out front - particularly after his 32 second advantage in Singapore. Those behind will be hoping for some reliability problems but the gap to the triple world champion could be closer in Korea.
Ferrari have made big steps forward with their higher downforce package so they could still prove to be a threat. The track surface isn't very abrasive so tyre wear and degradation is usually low, which could help Mercedes move to the front once again.
Lotus are also feeling confident after their strong race pace on the high downforce Marina Bay Street Circuit last time out. However, qualifying will be vital for them if they want to improve on Raikkonen's third place in Singapore.
McLaren go into the race knowing that they need to extend their gap on Force India if they want to really cement their fifth place in the constructor's standings. Sauber, Toro Rosso and Williams will all be searching for more valuable points and Marussia will be eager to stay ahead of Caterham and keep hold of 10th in the team championship.
Korean Grand Prix Fact-file:
Location: Yeongam, Korea
Track Length: 3.489 miles
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Turns: 18
Laps: 55
Gear changes per lap: 51
Full throttle: 62%
First race: 2010
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 2011: 1m39.605
Tyre compounds: Medium and super-soft
2012 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
2012 pole position: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing: 1m37.242
2012 fastest lap: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing: 1m42.037
Live on: Sky Sports F1 (Highlights on BBC)
 |
| (c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes |
The Korea International Circuit was only just finished for the inaugural Korean Grand Prix in 2010. The final inspection had been pushed back numerous times but the facility - which cost $77 million to construct - was finally given the green light.
Organisers had originally wanted a race near the South Korean capital of Seoul. However, what they got was a Hermann Tilke designed circuit 400 miles away in the region of Yeongam, situated near the port city of Mokpo.
 |
| (c) Lotus F1 Team |
Now with a backdrop of sprawling fields, marshland and the ports in the distance, the Korea International Circuit is in a somewhat unusual location for a race track. It can hold 135,000 spectators but attendance has dipped in recent years due to its position and dwindling interest in the sport.
The criticised pit exit has been tweaked for 2013 and will see cars head around the run-off area at the first and second turns before feeding on to the circuit at the exit of turn two. Artificial grass that halted Hamilton's 2012 charge has been replaced by a sturdier alternative and a handful of kerbs have been tweaked too.
The race has a 100% track record of being won by world champions after Fernando Alonso took victory in the inaugural 2010 round - refresh your memory on that race here - and Vettel crossed the line to win in 2011 and 2012.
Alonso shouldn't have won the first Korean Grand Prix though. I should be discussing Vettel's dominance in Korea after taking three consecutive race wins, along with being the only driver to ever finish first in a Formula 1 race at the track. However, an engine failure gifted the win to Alonso after the Ferrari driver got past Lewis Hamilton mid-way through the race.
Vettel took victory in 2011 after starting from second on the grid. He got past pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton on the first lap and was unchallenged to the finish, crossing the line 12 seconds clear of Hamilton and the trailing Mark Webber
It was Webber who had started on pole for the 2012 Korean Grand Prix, two years after crashing out in the torrential conditions of the inaugural round and with it losing points in the championship. However the Aussie wasn't able to hold off Vettel and the German got by at turn one.
 |
| (c) Getty Images |
Now let's take a look at the 3.489 mile Korea International Circuit. It starts with a trip down the medium length start/finish straight, with the pit lane to the right. The way that the pit exit feeds into the first corner came under criticism during the circuit's first race, particularly after an incident during practice. Nico Rosberg locked-up under braking for turn one, missing the apex. However, Jaime Alguersuari’s Toro Rosso was feeding onto the track at that time, resulting in a collision.
Changes made for the 2011 race included adding a bollard, which drivers must go around before feeding back onto the circuit, and a traffic lights system warning those exiting the pit lane of cars approaching along the pit straight at speed.
The first and second turns make up a double-apex left-hander. The first apex is taken in second gear before cars build up speed and take the second flat out in fourth gear. This is a good overtaking spot and a good exit is key for a good run down the following straight, the longest of the Asian F1 circuits at 1.2 kilometres. Speeds can reach up to 190mph along this straight, which is where the first DRS zone will be positioned.
The straight leads on to the third corner, which is a second gear right-hand hairpin. Due to high speeds that F1 cars reach along the back straight and the heavy braking zone of the third turn, this is the main overtaking spot on the track. However, it is bumpy under braking and lock-ups are a common occurrence, sometimes causing collisions during the race.
 |
| (c) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes |
A medium length straight follows before cars head into sector two and the fourth corner, a tight second gear left-hand hairpin. The first sector is largely made up of long straights and big stops, but the second sector is very different with a flowing sequence of medium and high speed corners that require a good car balance and rhythm.
The fifth and sixth corners make up a right-left second gear complex that leads on to a gently curving straight. The next corner is a fast right-hander that is followed by a sixth gear left. These are tricky and require precision and higher downforce levels, so cars with more wing will benefit through here. Turn nine is taken in fifth gear, a quick left, before the big stop for turn 10, a tight right-hander that requires a driver to brake on a downward-sloping incline.
A long, 180 degree left-hand hairpin follows before the fast right of turn 12. This then leads drivers into the final sector, modelled on a street circuit and surrounded by walls. The track width is thinner here and overtaking is tricky, making it quite a processional section of track in the race.
The medium-speed corners are grouped close together and drivers must use as much of the track to really get the best lap time, but of course without clouting the wall. Precision is important through here, as is clipping the apex but without taking too much of the big kerbs. Good traction and balance will really help through the final sector.
Turn 13 is a fast left that leads on to the fourth gear right that is the 14th corner on the Korea International Circuit. Turn 15 is a slow left-hander before the speed builds slightly for the 16th turn, another left that leads on to arguably the most challenging corner on the track.
Turn 17 is a long, medium speed right that is surrounded by barriers. The pit entry feeds to the inside of this corner and came under criticism during the first Korean Grand Prix. Some drivers were concerned by the blindness of the corner. Cars entering the pit lane need to slow considerably and will be on the racing line of faster cars behind.
 |
| (c) Lotus F1 Team |
Changes were made in reaction to the complaints with the inside wall being moved backwards to improve visibility. A good entry is key to follow speed through and on to the pit straight and the second DRS zone, which follows Turn 18 - a fast left-hand kink. The typical line going through the last corner is straight-line it altogether, running over almost all of the kerbing.
Heading to this year's round, Vettel looks dominant out front - particularly after his 32 second advantage in Singapore. Those behind will be hoping for some reliability problems but the gap to the triple world champion could be closer in Korea.
Ferrari have made big steps forward with their higher downforce package so they could still prove to be a threat. The track surface isn't very abrasive so tyre wear and degradation is usually low, which could help Mercedes move to the front once again.
Lotus are also feeling confident after their strong race pace on the high downforce Marina Bay Street Circuit last time out. However, qualifying will be vital for them if they want to improve on Raikkonen's third place in Singapore.
McLaren go into the race knowing that they need to extend their gap on Force India if they want to really cement their fifth place in the constructor's standings. Sauber, Toro Rosso and Williams will all be searching for more valuable points and Marussia will be eager to stay ahead of Caterham and keep hold of 10th in the team championship.
 |
| (c) AllF1 |
Location: Yeongam, Korea
Track Length: 3.489 miles
Direction: Anti-clockwise
Turns: 18
Gear changes per lap: 51
Full throttle: 62%
First race: 2010
Lap record: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 2011: 1m39.605
Tyre compounds: Medium and super-soft
2012 race winner: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
2012 pole position: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing: 1m37.242
2012 fastest lap: Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing: 1m42.037
Live on: Sky Sports F1 (Highlights on BBC)
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