Korean GP - Thread contains spoilers of Race/Qualifying & Practice Sponsored by Typhoon Fitow

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

Formula One has not made life easy for itself as it tries to establish a foothold in South Korea. In three years the race promoters have squandered over £100m on the event.

It’s not difficult to see why. The Korea International Circuit, a typical dreary Hermann Tilke clone, is stamped on the indifferent countryside almost 200 miles from the capital Seoul.

A telling sign of the lack of local enthusiasm for the event is that for F1′s fourth visit there remains just a single category on the support bill. Local fans report there is little in the way of promotion.

If that is unlikely to raise your anticipation for the weekend ahead, the championship situation is not likely to help matters. Sebastian Vettel’s hat-trick of wins since since the summer break has realistically destroyed his rivals’ hopes of beating him.

Another win this weekend could see him head to Japan ready to clinch the crown. That being the case, thoughts are increasingly turning to preparing for next year.

Weather Forecast: http://www.myweather2.com/Motor-Racing/South-Korea/Yeongam-Circuit-Korean-International-Circuit.aspx?sday=3

Korea circuit information
Lap length 5.621km (3.493 miles)
Distance 55 laps (309km/192 miles)
Lap record* 1’39.605 (Sebastian Vettel, 2011)
Fastest lap 1’35.585 (Sebastian Vettel, 2010)
Tyres Medium and Super-soft

[GSC]

Images have emerged of Horner handing Sutil an envelope of cash, a picture of Mark Webber and a Molotov cocktail before the race

[GSC]

Tbh that front wing of RB seems to be moving too much. I hope the FIA do some kind of load bearing test on it

[dyrewolfe]

Images have emerged of Horner handing Sutil an envelope of cash, a picture of Mark Webber and a Molotov cocktail before the race

Photoshopped by any chance?

[GSC]

I'd like to see one! Possibly with Horner sporting a devious moustache

[bogbrush]

Don't forget that picture of him pressing the 'explode' button on Perez's tyre while Mark was right behind.

[bogbrush]

Tbh that front wing of RB seems to be moving too much. I hope the FIA do some kind of load bearing test on it

I thought Mercedes were caught out pushing the front wing height to the limit on Rosbergs.

Seriously, I doubt there's anything. Ferrari wouldn't be slow to rush to regulations if there was a whiff - remember the yellow light fiasco of Brazil?

[sikhlion]

Where did it go wrong this season? It started out looking as if though Red Bull would have a challenge from Ferrari then just before the summer break Mercedes looked like they were coming into play then we return from the summer break and suddenly Red Bull are invincible with Vettel!

[Hulking_up]

The change in tyres fooked up some teams.
Think Alonso came out and said the Ferrari challenge was over when they changed the tyres.

[Guest]

Where did it go wrong this season?

Tyre change killed the season for many teams & just played into the hands of RB. Throw in Adrian Newey's mid-season modified diffuser & new front wing package + other features & that produces a dominant car, which Vettel uses, which is credit to him. It's deja-vu again from last year, Vettel waits for the upgrade & wins four on the bounce. Point is Ferrari & Mercedes haven't been good enough to challenge Newey, in terms of development. The tyre change has destoyed Force India's season, although Di Resta has not helped himself. On the other hand, Sauber have profited massively from the tyre change & Hulkenberg has finally been given some luck/timing in his career, in that he can now showcase his talent & undoubted speed to potential teams for next season.

The season is over, regardless of what Vettel says. Roll on 2014.

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