06/10/2013
NEWS STORY
Depending on who you listen to this could well be the last Grand Prix we see at Yeongam.
While the organisers insist a new deal is close to being agreed, many believe the asterisk against the event on the provisional calendar released last week was a clear sign that the end is near.
All of which is a bit sad really because the KIC, much like the track in Istanbul, is quite good, it's just that it hasn't had the Field of Dreams effect, the people aren't coming. Then again, much like Magny Cours, it's in the middle of nowhere, while the promised hotels and leisure facilities have never become reality.
Consequently, if this is the last race to be held here it is likely to be remembered as the race which ultimately decided the 2013 title. If Sebastian Vettel storms to another victory it is likely, even with five more races remaining, rivals team will call it a day and switch all their focus to 2014. On the other hand, in someone, anyone, can derail the Vettel/Red Bull steamroller who knows what might happen in Japan and beyond.
Despite dominating on Saturday, today, when it most mattered, Lewis Hamilton didn't have the goods to deliver, though full marks for effort.
The Mercedes driver's best hope is to get the jump on the world champion into the first corner, otherwise it is likely the German will disappear into the distance.
The chasing pack, led by Romain Grosjean should see some fun and games, especially in terms of a very frustrated Fernando Alonso, while Mark Webber has a point to prove following his ten-place grid penalty which sees him start thirteenth.
Consistently disappointing in qualifying, Kimi Raikkonen is usually much stronger in the race, and his superb drive to third in Singapore - like Alonso's drive to second - proves that anything is possible.
The real surprise of qualifying was Sauber, Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez taking eighth and ninth on the grid, the Mexican's best qualifying position since entering F1. In the last couple of races the Swiss outfit has looked its old self, the money orries of the summer seemingly put on hold for the time being.
McLaren had a dreadful qualifying but its fight for fifth in the championship is helped by the fact that Force India's was worse, though nothing compared to Williams dismal performance.
The tropical storm that threatened the race moved on elsewhere, but the winds that accompanied it are already hitting the region and are sure to cause problems. The rain on which so many teams were banking looking highly unlikely to arrive.
In the three Grands Prix so far, there have been more Safety Car periods (5) than race leaders (2, Vettel and Alonso), however, as we saw in Singapore such interruptions don't put Vettel off his game. On the other hand such an occurrence could be a game changer elsewhere down the field.
In all honesty, such is the dominance of the German and hit team it is best focus elsewhere, on the numerous battles throughout the field as drivers struggle to impress and team fight for the points that win prizes. After all, at present only 7 of the seats are officially filled for 2014, and at least one of those - you know who - is still in doubt.
As has already been said, should Vettel win by two laps today it is unlikely that he will receive the sort of podium reception witnessed in Singapore, the reason being that so few people attend the event.
While there has been talk of drizzle - possibly wishful thinking - it is dry, but quite windy. More importantly, it is cooler than it has been all weekend, and this will almost certainly impact tyre performance.
Tyre options weekend are medium (prime) and supersoft (option). We've been seeing an average of about 0.8 seconds per lap difference between the two compounds, considerably less than Singapore. This is set to form the platform for some interesting strategies during the race, but it also means that more of the frontrunners were able to get through Q1 without having to put on the supersoft compound.
The fastest strategy on paper is start on supersoft, change to supersoft again on lap 20 and then change to the medium on lap 40. Realistically though, most cars are likely to start on the supersoft, change to the medium on lap 20, then change to the medium again on lap 38.
The best three-stop strategy - for those wanting to try something different - is to start on the supersoft, change for supersoft again on lap 19, supersoft once more on lap 34, and finally medium on lap 47.
Alonso, who was highly critical of the Pirelli's yesterday, was on the receiving end of a no-nonsense response from Paul Hembery, a rare outburst from a man whose company has been on the receiving end of much criticism this year, most of it very unfair.
Unlike 2012, this year there are two DRS zones. The detection point of the first is 70m after Turn 2, with activation 360m after Turn 2. The second detection point is 60m before Turn 16 with activation 95m after Turn 18.
The pitlane opens and one by one the drivers head off to work. Sadly, while the main grandstand is quite well populated, many of those scattered around the track, much like China, are completely empty.
On the grid, under the beady eye of Helmut Marko, Ross Brawn pays close attention to the rear of Vettel's car. He subsequently admits, with a grin, that it was "mostly to annoy them".
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 27 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees.
All are on the option rubber, the sole exception being Ricciardo who starts from twelfth on the primes.
They're away, Vettel under no threat whatsoever. All get away cleanly and through the first corner. However, no such luck in T3 where there is contact and cars running wide. One of the biggest losers is Massa who is tagged by his Ferrari teammate.
At the end of lap 1, Vettel leads Grosjean - who passed Hamilton in T3 - Rosberg is fourth, ahead of Hulkenberg, Alonso, Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Maldonado and Button. Sutil, running 18th, complains of damage to his front wing, clearly suffered in the mayhem at T3.
Maldonado and Van der Garde the big winners on the first lap, the Dutchman up to 15th. One man who wasn't able to take advantage was Webber who is in 12th.
Button complains of possible damage to his front wing, his team confirming that there is but that it's not a problem.
Despite the best efforts of Ricciardo, Raikkonen goes around the outside of the Toro Rosso at T3. The Australian tries to fight back but to no avail. Button is told to pit for a new front wing.
Replay shows a great start from Gutierrez. Into T3 they're five abreast, Massa, on the inside, spins and triggers all sorts of mayhem, Ferrari lucky not to lose both cars.
After 5 laps, Vettel leads Grosjean by 2.7s with Hamilton a further 1.2s behind. Rosberg remains third, ahead of Hulkenberg, Alonso, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Maldonado and Webber. That said, moments later Webber passes the Venezuelan for ninth. Having pitted for new noses, Button and Sutil are running 21st and 22d.
At the end of lap 6, Massa pits, like Button and Sutil he changes to the primes in the process. Button posts the fastest lap (46.266) a point which will not be lost on his rivals.
Next time around Maldonado pits, as do di Resta and Gutierrez, all swapping to the primes, following Button's example.
Webber leaves his countryman for dead on the approach to T3 as it is announced that the stewards are investigating an incident involving Bianchi and Van der Garde.
As Bottas pits, Raikkonen nails Alonso into T3. The Spaniard re-takes the place only for his future teammate to snatch it right back. Vettel posts a new fastest lap (45.986).
As Hamilton pits at the end of lap 9, as does Alonso, Van der Garde is handed a drive-through having been adjudges as forcing Bianchi off track. Hamilton rejoins in ninth and Alonso in eleventh.
Grosjean, Rosberg and Hulkenberg all pit at the end of lap 10, as does Perez. The Frenchman running off into the dirt in his eagerness to get into the pits.
Grosjean rejoins just ahead of Hamilton who immediately attacks. Somehow the Frenchman hangs on, fighting off the Mercedes for the next series of corners. Elsewhere, Vettel pits, the German rejoining in second. Raikkonen also pits, the Finn rejoining in tenth.
As Webber leads, in his pursuit of Grosjean, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (45.428).
Next time around Webber pits, the Australian rejoining in ninth behind Raikkonen. Vergne and Chilton also stop.
The stewards are now investigating an incident involving Perez and di Resta, the Mexican appearing to force the Force India driver off track.
Back in the lead, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (44.534), the German now 2.7s ahead of Grosjean who heads Hamilton by 1.2s. Ricciardo, who has yet to stop, indeed, the only driver who hasn't stopped, is fourth, ahead of Rosberg, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Raikkonen, Webber and Button.
Despite the various incidents we have yet to see a retirement.
Perez overtakes Maldonado to take eleventh, teammate Button 4.4s up the road.
As Vettel builds his lead, attention focusses on the battle sixth where Hulkenberg heads a train of cars that includes Alonso, Raikkonen and Webber.
As Webber watches the Alonso/Raikkonen battle, the Australian is informed that both have graining problems. Elsewhere, Rosberg passes Ricciardo to take fourth.
Told that he is "quick" in S2, Vettel is told not to abuse his tyres. Tyre abuse, that's a new one. Elsewhere, at the end of lap 18, Ricciardo finally pits.
As Raikkonen eases off, allowing Hulkenberg and Alonso to battle, Massa moves up to fifteenth.
The stewards announce that they will investigate the di Resta/Perez incident after the race.
As Alonso spends lap after lap behind Hulkenberg, one cannot help but think back to Abu Dhabi 2010 when the title was lost when the Spaniard failed to nail Petrov.
As Webber is informed that Alonso's graining issue has cleared, Hulkenberg complains that his tyres are "gone". It is too early to stop he is told, subsequently advised that it could be a temporary graining issue.
Ricciardo passes di Resta for twelfth, as Vettel is told to be careful as he negotiates the back markers. Elsewhere, Button makes his second stop of the afternoon, after just 22 laps, 18 on that particular set. He rejoins in 17th.
Next time around Maldonado pits, as does di Resta, while Massa passes Gutierrez for twelfth.
"My right-front is destroyed," complains Hamilton. Advised of rivals who have been through a graining phase, the Mercedes driver replies; "I've been through that phase... they're dead!"
Indeed, the Englishman is losing 3 - 4 seconds a lap, Rosberg taking huge chunks out of his lead.
As Raikkonen pits, di Resta makes it four crashes in a row, the Scot losing it going into the barriers at T12.
Hulkenberg pits at the end of lap 26, rejoining in 11th, as Webber makes a move which catches Alonso completely off guard. Elsewhere, still losing time, Hamilton asks if he is "under threat".
Rosberg passes Hamilton on the main straight in a shower of sparks. The camera picks up the fact that the entire nose assembly has come loose. It's a disaster for the German who is told to pit. Indeed, with Hamilton struggling, things are going totally wrong for Mercedes.
Rosberg pits, as does Alonso, the Mercedes crew struggling to remover the German's old nose.
As the German rejoins in 13th, Hamilton shouts; "when you gonna call me in man, theses tyres are f***ed". The Englishman is subsequently told to pit. He rejoins in 6th, ahead of Hulkenberg. Massa also pits.
After 30 laps, Vettel leads Grosjean by 5.4s with Webber a whole 25.7s further down the road. The Australian subsequently pits. Perez therefore moves up to third, ahead of Raikkonen, Hamilton, Webber, Hulkenberg and Alonso.
More drama as the tread flies off from Perez' car on the run to T3. As the Safety Car is deployed, Vettel, Grosjean, Pic, Bianchi, Chilton and Van der Garde all pit.
Replay shows the Mexican barely flinching as the rubber flailed.
Ricciardo, Webber, Gutierrez and Perez pit, the Australian, having pitted just a lap earlier. Replay shows the Red Bull driver exiting the pits and running right behind Perez when his tyre went and having to take avoiding action.
As a marshal removes the large chunks of rubber from the track, and with the Safety Car still on track, Vettel leads Grosjean, ahead of Raikkonen, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Button, Rosberg, Maldonado and Ricciardo. Webber is eleventh, ahead of Sutil, Gutierrez, Massa, Perez, Vergne, Bottas, Pic, Bianchi, Van der Garde and Chilton.
As Red Bull confirms that Webber had suffered a puncture following the Perez incident, a replay shows that the Mexican had a massive lock-up going into T1 immediately before his tyre failure.
Webber is on options because he had run out of primes. Countryman Ricciardo is also on the softer rubber.
At the end of lap 35, with twenty laps remaining, the Safety Car pulls off. As in Singapore Vettel kick-starts the race. Hulkenberg catches Hamilton off guard on the run to T3 whilst Sutil and Webber clash after the German spins. It's all over for the Red Bull driver, his car bursting into flames as if to rub salt in the wound.
As Raikkonen makes a superb move on Grosjean, a fire rescue vehicle heads on to the track, apparently unauthorised. Moments later the Safety Car is deployed again.
Replay shows Sutil losing his car under braking and spinning into a hapless Webber.
In Race Control, Charlie Whiting looks far from impressed, the deployment of the fire truck totally unauthorised. As Webber's barbecued car is removed from the side of the track, Sutil pits and eventually rejoins the race in 20th position.
While its misery for Webber, the time spent behind the Safety Car is good news for those drivers whose tyre strategy was borderline.
It's: Vettel, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Alonso, Button, Rosberg, Maldonado and Ricciardo.
At the end of lap 39, the Safety Car pulls off again. This time, Vettel has company, Raikkonen all over the back of the German's Red Bull. Into T3, Alonso nails Hamilton with Button waiting to pick up the pieces as the Mercedes driver fights back and re-takes the position.
As Vettel posts a new fastest lap (42.185), Sutil is handed a drive-through for speeding in the pitlane.
Having shaken off Alonso, Hamilton is now all over Hulkenberg. While Rosberg closes in on Button. Behind them, Ricciardo heads a train of six cars covered by just a couple of seconds. All to play for with ten laps remaining.
As Vettel continues to set an astounding pace, now 2.8s clear of Raikkonen, Hamilton continues to hound Hulkenberg.
Maldonado, Gutierrez, Massa and Perez involved in the mother of all scraps, wheel banging and other naughtiness aplenty. In one fell swoop, the Venezuelan drops four places. All this for tenth place.
If proof were needed just how good Hulkenberg is, this is it. The German refusing to yield to Hamilton. However, as they battle, Alonso and Button close in.
Elsewhere, Van der Garde and Chilton are to be investigated for speeding behind the Safety Car.
Hamilton nails Hulkenberg into T1 but on the following straight the German snatches the position straight back. Now Hamilton finds himself under attack from Alonso.
Grosjean is told that he is quicker than Raikkonen, however, there's uncertainty as to whether her should battle the Finn for second.
The stewards reveal that Massa and Perez are under investigation for the mayhem a couple of laps ago which involved wheel banging, cars running wide and just about everything else.
"It's unreal how much traction he's got," says Hamilton, continually frustrated by Hulkenberg and his Sauber. "Anyone got any suggestions?"
A late bit of braking sees Rosberg pass Button. The McLaren driver fights back but the battle is already lost.
As Vettel posts another fastest lap (41.380), Grosjean closes to within 1s of Raikkonen.
"Be careful," Vettel is told. "You already have fastest lap by some margin, be careful."
Race over for Ricciardo who has parked up at T12. Taxi anyone?
Suddenly attack become defence as Hamilton is forced to fend off Alonso, all of which gives Hulkenberg some welcome breathing space.
Vettel takes the flag, his fourth successive win and another giant step towards that fourth successive title. Raikkonen takes second ahead of Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Alonso, Rosberg, Button, Massa and Perez.
Gutierrez is eleventh, ahead of Bottas, Maldonado, Pic, Van der Garde, Bianchi and Chilton.
As in Singapore it was a race of two halves, the two Safety Car periods really bringing it all alive. Furthermore, not for the first time, we saw that if you ignore what Sebastian is doing out front behind his there is some explosive action, literally.
Heading to the legendary Suzuka, the sad thing is that the Korea International Circuit is likely to be missing from the calendar next year, yet, like Istanbul, it rarely fails to provide decent racing.
However, even sadder is that fact that at a time we are already lamenting the need for more and more pay drivers, potential winners are facing the prospect of being sidelined due to the controversial new weight rules. An absolutely farcical situation and something the sport, and those that run it, should be ashamed of.