Circuits

A brand new venue for 2010 is the Korean International Circuit in South Korea. This $264million dollar project, situated in Yeongam County is being supervised by F1's new circuit guru Hermann Tilke.

The project is a joint venture between private firm M-Bridge Holdings and South Jeolla provincial government known as Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO). Work is apparently well underway at the site 320km south of the capital Seoul, but information and pictures have so far been limited.

Organisers say the 3.5-mile circuit which is being built on 425 acres of reclaimed land beside an artificial seaside lake. The anti-clockwise track will feature Asia's longest straight, allowing for speeds of up to 320km per hour. The grandstands will accommodate up to 135,000 people.

KAVO have a seven-year deal to host the race, with an option to renew for a further five-year term. The organisers are happy with the progress of the facility and confidently predict that it will be ready in time for their debut race in October 2010.

Claire Furnell November 2009