The Korea International Circuit very nearly wasn’t completed in time to hold its first race in 2010.
After hurried last-minute work by the organisers the race went ahead, only for a race day downpour to put it in further jeopardy. The race was eventually started after a long delay behind the Safety Car, and ended in darkness as the sun had set before the chequered flag appeared.
The Hermann Tilke-designed track has three distinct parts. The first sector is long straights and tight hairpins, the second a succession of medium-speed corners.
The last sector is slower in pace and bordered more closely by barriers. It was designed this way because further buildings were planned around this part of the track, but so far they haven’t materialised.
Korea International Circuit track data
| Lap data | |
| Lap length | 5.621km (3.493 miles) |
| Race laps | 55 |
| Race distance | 308.96km (191.979 miles) |
| Pole position | Right-hand side of the track |
| Lap record* | 1’39.605 (203.158 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2011 |
| Fastest lap | 1’35.585 (211.703 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2010 |
| Maximum speed | 313kph (194.489 mph) |
| DRS zone/s (race) | Pit straight and longest straight |
| Distance from grid to turn one | 250m |
| Car performance | |
| Full throttle | 62% |
| Longest flat-out section | 1125m |
| Downforce level | Medium-High |
| Gear changes per lap | 54 |
| Fuel use per lap | 2.7kg |
| Time penalty per lap of fuel | 0.108s |
| Strategy | |
| Quickest complete pit stop in 2012 | 19.447s by McLaren (see full list) |
| 2013 prime tyre**: | Medium (2012: Soft) |
| 2013 option tyre**: | Super-soft (2012: Super–soft) |
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
**Pirelli’s compounds are softer than those used in 2012
Data sources: FIA, Williams, Mercedes