So the F1 circus, for the first time, heads over to South Korea for its first ever grand prix in the peninsula as we go into the final stages of one of the most exciting Formula 1 seasons ever.
Let’s now try to focus on what to expect for the race and subsequently, the title fight: what exactly lies ahead?
Now the thing is, no one really knows what it’s going to be like out there in S. Korea. Formula1.com posted some factoids and figures: “So what have the simulations revealed so far? Well, the projected lap time is 1m 44s and the cars will be on full throttle for 55 percent of the lap and on the brakes for 20 percent. The average speed will be 195 km/h, with a top speed of 315 km/h on the 1.15 km straight between turns two and three. As for the corners, turn eight is probably the quickest of the lap with an apex speed of 235 km/h, while turn three is the slowest corner, expected to be taken at just 65 km/h.”
But even better: to help us visualize all this, the guys over at Red Bull did a simulation just to give us an idea of how the track should look like as the cars go round.
So there are longish straights in sector 1, and twisty corners in sectors 2 and 3. This season we’ve seen the McLarens and Ferraris do well on the straights, while Red Bull’s low downforce package has given them the advantage especially on corners.
Then again, take note that the track could be very green, in fact Hermann Tilke, the track’s designer himself, said Wednesday that there’s a big chance the track could be slippery due to oil from the freshly-laid asphalt. There are some safety concerns there, but on the other hand that should definitely spice things up!
The track was only approved less than two weeks before the inaugural Korean GP. Unfortunately as of Wednesday before the GP weekend, some of the F1 team members and journos have reported that there’s still construction going on. There’s also news that ticket sales are below than expected – well what exactly did they expect after all the delays and uncertainty of even holding the race?
Okay, apologies for the digression. Going back…
We go into Korea with Mark Webber still leading the WDC race having collected 220 points so far. He’s followed by Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, each with 206 points, with the Ferrari driver in 2nd by virtue of more wins. Many will be watching out for these top three drivers, as whoever gets the best finish this Sunday is most likely going to head into Brazil leading the championship. But then, should either of the McLaren drivers do well this weekend, the title fight could still be between them and the current top three.
Webber’s consistently good drive throughout the year plus the seemingly unbeatable RB6 is something that the Australian can bank on. Then you have his teammate, Sebastian Vettel, who, according to Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz, is inherently quicker but according to his race results summary was really quite accident-prone this year.
On the other hand, Ferrari’s resurgence in the second half of the season paved the way for a pumped up Fernando Alonso suddenly in contention for the championship in this late part of the season, as if everything else after Bahrain upto the summer break did not happen.
McLaren are definitely determined to make-up for the past races, specifically with regards to Lewis Hamilton’s title fight. Jenson Button, currently in 5th place, will have to equally push and try to get as much points as he can so he could hopefully continue defending his title.
Essentially, the driver who gets the most out of this weekend could be the one leading the points table after Sunday.
Now, we have a really close title fight between five impressive drivers, an unpredictable race coming up, followed by one of the most exciting races in the F1 calendar, plus anything else that can happen up to the last race, even the last corner – what more could you ask for?
In the end, the big winners, really, are us fans.
Photo © Lotus F1
