Korean GP: HRT preview

Hispania Racing, HRT F1 Team, faces the new Korean Grand Prix with confidence after its drivers achieved their best race result of the season

The brand-new Korea International Circuit, located in the South Jeolla Region and about 400 km away from Seoul, is the next stop on the 2010 Formula 1 calendar. The Formula 1 cars will run for the first time ever in front of the Korean fans at this Hermann Tilke designed track. One of the spotlights of the anticlockwise course is the longest straight section of 1.2 km, where speeds of up to 320 km/h will be reached. The drivers will have to be fast in the straights but can also show their skills when driving around the 18 corners, especially in the low-speed last section. The 5.621 km lap, made up of permanent and temporary sections, runs alongside the Yeongsan lake and provides a unique scenary.

After achieving their best race result, both Hispania Racing, HRT F1 Team drivers Bruno Senna and Sakon Yamamoto are excited to participate in the inaugural race in South Korea. Hispania Racing, HRT F1 Team wants to tie in another positive result like in the Japanese Grand Prix and is arriving in Yeongam with high hopes.

Dr. Colin Kolles, Team Principal:

"Everyone in the Formula 1 paddock is excited to come to Korea. The circuit has been completed just before the start of the event and so you can say that it is brand-new. Located by the sea, the circuit is formed by a permanent section but about half of the lap is a temporary section. Winding up around the town's skyscrapers and the harbour, the Korea International Circuit provides a glamorous backdrop. After our good result in Japan, where we could bring both cars to the finish line again, we are working hard for another positive race weekend."

Sakon Yamamoto, Race driver #20:

"I am looking forward to race at the Korea International Circuit and it is going to be really exciting as no one has ever raced on this completely new track before. The layout calls up slow and high speed corners and you have to find the right set-up. We have to learn the specialities of the circuit very quickly to get the best out of the car. After achieving my best race result in front of my home crowd, I am highly motivated to show a good performance again."

Bruno Senna, Race driver #21:

"Going to Korea for the first time should be a very interesting experience. No one has been to the circuit before, but it seems to be a challenging track. It is a mix of a sector with slow corners and long straights and another one with changes of direction on medium speed corners. You need a car with good braking stability and good traction. It is a bit unknown for everyone, but we hope that, as it is going to be the first time here for everybody, it will level the playing-field and make it possible for us to achieve a good result."

-source: hrt