Korean International Circuit

Korean International Circuit in Yeongam County, Korea, has held 4 Formula 1 races, from 2010 to 2013. Sebastian Vettel has the most wins here with 3. The lap record is 1:39.605, set by Sebastian Vettel in 2011.

Latest race here: 2013 Korean Grand Prix. Explained: how often pole wins, by circuit · safety cars by circuit · where places change hands.

What is a lap of Korean International Circuit like?

Designed by Hermann Tilke on flat harbour-side land near Mokpo, the circuit was planned as part permanent track and part street circuit, but the shops, hotels and marina district meant to surround the southern section were never built. The lap starts with a double left-hander, then a straight of about 1.2 km into the slow Turn 3 hairpin, fast sweepers in the middle sector, and a tight, walled, street-style final sector. The FIA's final track inspection took place only 11 days before first practice for the 2010 race, and the circuit was not considered properly finished until a year later. After four races (Fernando Alonso won in 2010, Sebastian Vettel in 2011-2013), with the organisers calling the sanctioning fees too expensive, expecting heavy losses and drawing small crowds, the race was left off the final 2014 calendar, the organisers declined a 2015 date, and the circuit now hosts national racing such as the Superrace Championship.

Lap length

5.615 km

Turns

18

Direction

anticlockwise

Downforce

High

Longest straight

1,200 m

Layout described

Grand Prix Circuit (2010 onwards), 5.615 km, 18 turns; used for all four Korean Grands Prix, 2010-2013

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Does pole position win at Korean International Circuit?

The pole sitter has won 1 of 4 races here (25%). Across all circuits since 1950 the pole sitter wins 44% of races. The winner started from the front row (P1 or P2) in 3 of 4 races (75%) and from the top three in 4 (100%). Lowest grid position to win: 3rd, Fernando Alonso in 2010.

Where the winner started, every race at this circuit. Pole sitter means the driver who set the fastest qualifying time (first on the grid where no qualifying data exists); a grid penalty can move the pole sitter back, and that race still counts for them. Compare every circuit.

How are races at Korean International Circuit won?

Since 2010

4 races; winners made 1 stop in 1, 2 stops in 3; first stop at a median lap 16 (28% of the race)

Lap times over the years

All races at Korean International Circuit