12 years ago, on this day, the fourth and final Grand Prix was held in Yeongam, South Korea, becoming the last time Formula One visited the country to date.
It marked the demise of yet another venue from the sport’s expansion into the Asian market, along with the Turkish and Indian races around the same timeframe.
The final event itself was a processional affair, with Sebastian Vettel claiming the fourth consecutive victory of nine at the tail end of the 2013 season.
While the circuit produced only one truly memorable event during its four-year tenure, many fans look back on it with fondness.
Let’s look at the track’s short stint in the sport, and discuss whether it should have remained on the calendar for longer than its eventual
After a tumultuous 13-month construction period, the Korea International Circuit was certified to host the 2010 Korean Grand Prix only 11 days before the first practice session.
Drivers mostly praised the new layout, and aside from some complaints regarding the safety of the pit lane entry and exit roads, it was well-received.
Michael Schumacher said: “I enjoyed driving it.
“Of course, a new track with totally fresh asphalt needs to rubber in, but it got better and improved massively over the day.
“I am very pleasantly surprised with the circuit. It is very demanding and tricky, which provides a challenge that I like a lot.”
In the midst of a tense four-way title battle, the first event held at Yeongam was a modern classic, held in changeable conditions.
After a lengthy 17-lap Safety Car period interjected by a red flag at the start due to the incessant weather, championship leader Mark Webber crashed out on the restart.
His teammate Vettel led most of the way; however, following a late engine failure, Fernando Alonso assumed first place and held it until the end.
The Spaniard assumed the championship lead, although he could not maintain this advantage for the rest of the season, as Vettel ended the year as champion.
Despite its problems with the pit lane and the accommodation and facilities provided to the F1 paddock, the organisers were awarded the Race Promoters’ Trophy at the end of 2010.
The 2011 race was a dull lights-to-flag victory for Vettel, on his way to a dominant second title, but the excitement of the following year’s title fight should have been an optimistic sign.
Unfortunately, the reigning two-time champion took yet another easy triumph, the only notable moment involving Hamilton’s car, which picked up a piece of loose astroturf and carried it to the chequered flag.
This brings us to the final race at the venue in 2013, won again by Vettel, although the event was initially contracted all the way up to 2016.
Low turnout due to the track’s rural location, far from major population centres, greatly hindered its potential as a long-term project.
Plans to build a city around the track failed to materialise, and the highest class of racing held at Yeongam since 2013 are GT events.
The tenure of the Korea International Circuit may have lasted only four seasons, with three quarters of those being entirely forgettable, but did it deserve more?
It is similar in design to other Asian circuits that debuted in F1 during the 2000s and 2010s, sharing design features with cult favourite venues like Sepang in Malaysia.
Many circuits that historically produced great action for a long time can become boring if the cars racing there do not suit it anymore, a point that is rather pertinent in Korea.
Monza, Monaco, Imola, Istanbul Park and Spa are examples of classic tracks that have struggled to produce quality racing in recent years.
While the South Korean layout hosted cars from only one era of F1 regulations, its design would indeed be more appropriate for modern-day machines than contemporary ones from over a decade ago.
F1 cars in 2025 require long straights into tight corners to provide lots of overtaking, while the twisty second and third sectors would be a dream to drive in the downforce demons of today.
If executed better, with more established transport links and better paddock infrastructure, the Korean Grand Prix would be a great candidate for a return.
The sport’s expansion into Asia has recently been replaced by an obsession with Middle Eastern oil money, so why not finish off what we started at a future-proof and fantastic modern permanent racing circuit?
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