YEONGAM, South Jeolla Province Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso snatched the inaugural Korean Grand Prix in the rain soaked Yeongam circuit that saw a slew of spin-outs and crashes.
It was a scrappy affair with this season’s drivers’ championship leader Mark Webber crashing out just a lap after the safety car gave clearance for the race to restart after a 40-minute delay.
The Red Bull ace spun, hit the wall and drifted into the path of German Nico Rosberg at lap 18 in drizzle.
The crash put an end to the Aussie’s charge for the the 2010 championship.
As if mirroring his teammate’s misfortune, Germany’s Sebastian Vettel spun out at lap 47, squandering the lead he had taken from Webber.
Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain leaps in the air on the podium as he celebrates his win at the Korean Grand Prix on the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam on Sunday. (AP-Yonhap News)
Alonso seized the opportunity, charging ahead to take the top spot with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton in second.
This is the Spaniard’s 26th career win as he tore through a slippery track that claimed several machines early on, making it clear that the race was more a game of survival.
Alonso along with Vettel was 14 points adrift of leader Webber in the drivers’ championship. He now leads with 231 points, with Webber on 220 and Hamilton on 210 points. Just a pair of races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi remain in the current season.
Just before the start of the race, the circuit had been hit by rain that began Saturday night.
Marred by rain, several teams also raised the possibility of the race being unable to go the full distance. Alonso was fuming during the practice run led by the safety car.
“It’s the worst conditions I ever drove a car,” said the two-time world champion over his radio during the first attempt to start the race going.
“It’s impossible. I don’t even know where is Webber.”
Reigning world champion Jenson Button echoed Alonso’s frustrations saying over the team’s radio “You can’t even see the front tires when you’re on the straight,” and added “You’re just driving completely blind, waiting to hit something.”
Race director Charlie Whiting initially ordered a 10-minute delay before abandoning plans for a regular start and dispatching the safety car which led the machines off the starting grid.
The decision was understandable due to the conditions. It also denied fans a thrilling start to a key race in the season’s battle among five title contenders.
The turnout was less than stellar as large blocks of seating were empty.
All around the tracks were incomplete patches of construction and columns supporting the bridge over the starting grid had yet to be painted showing raw concrete.
The race’s local promoters Korea Auto Valley Operation are contracted to host races until 2016 with a five-year option after which would take the race until 2021.
(source:koreaherald.com)
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