[Race] Korean Grand Prix Preview

[ottostreet]

Hi guys, here is my preview for this weekend's Korean GP.


Clive Mason/Getty Images

With only 6 races remaining in 2013, it's time for F1 to head for Yeongam for the fourth Korean Grand Prix.

With the championship seemingly a formality waiting to be signed off on by Sebastian Vettel, there appears to be very little chance that anyone can even come close as we head into the tracks where Vettel has been traditionally strong over the last few seasons.

Technical analysis from certain quarters, such as this excellent insight from James Allen suggest that all the devlopment work Red Bull have been concentrating on this season, has been eliminating the weaknesses of previous iterations of their RB9. While the Bulls since 2009 have been excellent on fast flowing, mid to high downforce tracks, they have had less of an advantage in terms of traction and on high speed low downforce tracks, like Monza.

Singapore, Monza and Spa suggest that Red Bull have solved their weaknesses, without losing anything of an advantage at their usual strengths. This means that, instead of becoming weaker, Red Bull & Vettel are most likely at their most unbeatable, right as we reach the end of the current set of F1 rules. While it may be considered dull by many of the anti-Vettel brigade, no driver and team has unlocked this level of dominance since Schumacher in his F2004.

There is no point just yet in speculating as to whether this dominance will end next season, as with 6 rounds remaining, there is still a lot to play for. Who can seal second place in the Drivers Championship? Can Lewis Hamilton assert himself as the dominant character at Mercedes? Will Mark Webber score a swansong victory before he waves au-revoir?

Fernando Alonso may become the highest points scorer ever in F1 history this weekend, should he finish first or second. While this is largely due to the changes in the points system meaning that scores have rocketed for modern drivers, it will be an impressive feat for the Ferrari driver should he manage to pull it off. Alonso is the only man to have lead any laps in Korea, apart from Vettel. While he has only lead 7% of the total amount of racing laps at Yeongnam, crucially, they were the final ten laps in the dramatic 2010 race after Sebastian's Renault engine expired while leading.

So can anyone else lead a lap in Korea this weekend? Noone apart from Vettel and Alonso has finished in the top two since we resumed racing after the Summer break, but the most likely contenders are the usual challengers...the Mercs & Kimi Raikkonen. Mercedes would probably have ended up ahead of Alonso in Singapore, had it not been for an untimely safety car, but their record in Korea is not as sterling as it is at other tracks. 9th and 10th is all they could muster during last season's race, and it will take an almighty effort from Mercedes to even threaten Vettel now, even on single lap pace.

Lotus looked far happier with 'normal' downforce levels in Singapore, and while Raikkonen isn't likely to suffer from back pain in qualifying this time out, they don't look like the team to usurp Vettel or Alonso from the top positions. They are still too reliant on the conservative one trick pony that is 'make a stop less than our rivals'. While effective in terms of safe and solid points finishes, wins look out of reach.

The same can be said for Mark Webber. Even if Sebastian Vettel was to sit at home by his lake in Switzerland this weekend, Mark Webber still doesn't appear to be hooked up enough in 2013 to guide his Red Bull to a victory. The 2010 race here in Korea is arguably the reason why Mark wasn't champion that season, and the Australian looks to have never recovered from the effects of that race. While most fans would dearly love to see the popular Aussie sign off his F1 career with a win, it doesn't really look feasible right now.

A typhoon is threatening the Korean circuit this weekend, although there is still only a 40% chance it may hit the track on Sunday. A typhoon would almost certainly mean a delayed race or even a cancellation, as the medical helicopter can't fly in such conditions, as well as the effects on track conditions. A wet race may mean more chance of a fluke result or a crazy race, but for the sake of having a race at all, let's hope for dry conditions.

Prediction: 1. Vettel 2. Alonso 3. Webber.

[Mekola]

Vettel will win.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Mekola

Vettel will win.

Confident, aren't you?

Red Bull gives you wings... I'm not sure that will help in a typhoon.

[Mekola]

So confident. Vettel has no opposition to win.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Mekola

So confident. Vettel has no opposition to win.

Ditto. Sadly resistance seems to be futile. Best write this season off.....

[Mekola]

I've said it from the start of the season (Look at the archives!) Vettel will win fair and square 2013 season.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Vettel will win unless that monsoon comes, where he probably will win...

[IceMan_PJN]

Vettel will probably come back Saturday and post lap times ridiculously faster than the other guys, but on Friday Lewis dominated P1 and P2, albeit by slim margins over Seb. Vettel has the championship, but maybe Lewis can at least challenge him for this weekend's race.

[Bononi]

How things are going today ?

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Kimi's big crash had aggravated those back pains. He's now seeking medical treatment. As good as Kimi is (i.e. arguably the best driver on the grid), it would be nice for Valsecchi to get a chance. Lotus don't seem to have the resources to push him into another team, but they aren't yelling "give this guy a seat" in the same way that McLaren are with Kevin Magnussen.

[321Go]

Looks like it will be a fight between Hamilton and Vettel for pole. Hope the H.A.M comes through this time.



And there will be 21 races in 2014 then. Korean GP is out.

[321Go]

FP3 just completed. Vettel tops the time sheet.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Major Spoiler Alert: Vettel on pole

Should be a thrilling race, cant wait to see who finishes 2nd on Sunday, at the world class Korean circuit no less.

[chunterer]

Gutierrez in top 10 again!!

Hamilton great job to net 2nd to the juggernaut....

Another great job by Grosjean too...

Neither McLaren in top 10 but Checo outqualifies Button which is what he needs to do for the rest of the year, let alone finish in front of him.

[Armco Bender]

Vettel on pole

"Hooray...Hooray....Hurrah...Pip..Pip"...............too cynical?

[Knowlesy]

Imagine how fast Hamilton could have gone with traction control.

Gutierrez has come alive. Bit late like...

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

Major Spoiler Alert: Vettel on pole.

Cheers mate. Thanks a lot.

[321Go]

Was hoping for a Hamilton P1, but knew it was going to be tough. P2 is next best and hope he gets a better start than Vettel. The Merc's are looking like they're ready for a fight. Both cars behaving very well all weekend.

Got to say, Korea has to be one of the worst attended GP's on the calendar. Hardy anyone in the main grandstand across from the pitlane. Vettel was waving to all 20 of them when he got out of the car. Jenson Button commented on this post quali when he said "It's always sad when there are no fans at a race. It hasn't really got the South Koreans excited and they don't travel to see the race.
"If you have a full house it makes the atmosphere and makes it a special race. This place doesn't have that because no one comes to watch it."

In other news, Rubens and Sauber will not happen. Paddock talk yesterday from Korea was that Maldonado is also in talks with Sauber for a 2014 seat. Today it seems that this rumour could just have some legs, and is progressing. And Maldonado saying "Good job by Sauber today. We should follow that example and improve, nothing is impossible! All it takes is work and the will to do it." after Q3 today might have just added some fuel to the speculation. Didn't see that coming, but I can see how Maldonado and Sirotkin could happen.

[wolfhound]

Was there more team personnel, media and officals than spectators at qually?

Looked that way to me.

[jsTrecu]

Cool, Renault equals Ferrari in Pole Positions as an engine manufacturer with 208

Done in 520 GP, that's 40% of them. Impressive stat if you ask me, Ferrari 23% (208/876) and Mercedes 27% (99/356).

[Aysedasi]

Yep, sure bowls you over, doesn't it..........

[bjohnsonsmith]

I thoroughly enjoyed the intro. Thanks ottostreet.

[jsTrecu]

I'm out of words... Embarrassing race.

[Rgms320]

Vettel wins.

Yawn...

[321Go]

Take Vettel out of the equation and that was a fantastic race!! An entertaining race for more than just the F1 cars. Had some brilliant racing in the mid pack. If only it was like that up front too. Hulk the man of the match!!


Word is that it was Rubens Barrichello behind the wheel of that Jeep. He just wanted to know what it felt like to lead the F1 grid one last time.