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SKorea dropped from F1 calendar this year
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THE Korean Grand Prix, dogged by years of financial problems, has been dropped from the 2015 Formula One calendar, organizers confirmed yesterday.
The sports governing body, the FIA, dropped the Yeongam race from the final version of this year’s schedule published on its website late on Tuesday, reducing the season to 20 races. “We have repeatedly conveyed our position to F1 organizers that we are unable to return to the race this year,” a Korean Grand Prix official said.
The Korean event in the southern county of Yeongam made its debut in 2010 under a deal intended to last until 2016 with a five-year renewal option.
But it hemorrhaged money heavily from the outset and having accumulated losses of 190 billion won (US$170 million) over four years, it was dropped from the 2014 schedule.
“Due to lack of financial support from either the central government or the provincial government, we have no option but to abandon this year’s event as well,” said the official, who insisted on anonymity.
“South Korea has still a very thin fan base and local businesses are not so eager to sponsor auto races”, he added.
Meanwhile, the FIA has introduced tough new rules that will mean drivers must be at least 18 years old and go through more rigorous testing.
Potential F1 competitors will have to build up points over three years to get a race super licence under the rules which will start in 2016. The new rules are part of a clampdown on inexperienced drivers.
Max Verstappen in 2014 became the youngest driver to take part in Grand Prix practice and will drive for Toro Rosso this year at the age of 17. The new season starts in Australia on March 15. If the rules were enforced this year, Verstappen would not be allowed to take part and the likes of Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen would also have had to wait for their race debuts.
New competitors will have a test driving 300 kilometers in a F1 car at racing speeds over a two-day period. They will also face an exam on regulations and have to complete at least 80 percent of two full seasons in championships that feed F1.
Drivers score points for a super licence from competing in junior categories, with 40 required in a three-year period before a licence is granted.
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