Korea International Circuit
A short-lived Tilke design in Yeongam famous for an unfinished paddock, empty grandstands and a debut weekend that nearly didn't happen.
Circuit at a glance
- Years active
- 2010–2013
- F1 races
- 4
- Length
- 5.615 km
- Turns
- 18
History and character
The Korean Grand Prix was meant to anchor a brand-new resort city on South Korea's south-west coast. The circuit was barely complete when F1 arrived in 2010 — asphalt was still curing days before the race — and the surrounding city never materialised. Its 1.2 km back straight ranks among the longest ever used in F1.
Why it left the calendar
Crowds never grew, the promoter ran out of money, and the race was dropped from the calendar after 2013. The track is now used only sporadically for local series and remains a cautionary tale about expanding F1 into greenfield markets without local racing demand.
Iconic moment
Sebastian Vettel completing his 2013 four-in-a-row at Yeongam in front of a near-empty grandstand, sealing his fourth consecutive title weeks later.
Notable Grand Prix winners
- Fernando Alonso
- Sebastian Vettel