This year's inaugural Korean Grand Prix is in danger of being called off following delays in the construction of the circuit.

Back in February there were already rumours that the race could be delayed until 2011, but those were denied by promoter Korea Auto Valley Operation, who said the circuit would be ready for June or July.

"The representative facilities of the circuit are in very good progress," said KAVO CEO Yung Cho Chung back then.

"The racing track itself is at 70 per cent completion rate and the main grandstand currently stands at 80 per cent. The Formula 1 track is now visible. It may be completed in June at the earliest."

The first Korean Grand Prix is scheduled for 24 October.

A report in German magazine Focus, however, says the work has been delayed because of major problems with the construction.

Track designer Herman Tilke told the magazine that he was concerned the work would not be finished in time.

"For the first time I fear that a [Tilke] circuit is not going to be ready in time," he was quoted as saying by the magazine.

The report also claims Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is likely to make a decision on the race sooner rather than later.

Fears are growing that the inaugural Korean Grand Prix this October may have to be called off.

Although Bernie Ecclestone recently dismissed rumors that construction of the new Yeongam circuit might not be finished on time, political tensions between South Korea and the rogue North have been ramping up.

South Korea pointedly blamed the North for the recent sinking of a naval vessel that killed 46 sailors, and the North retaliated by threatening all-out war.

"If there is (war), we won't be there obviously," F1 chief executive Ecclestone told reporters in Turkey.

Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper cites sources as saying the political situation may already have further slowed down construction of the 5.62 kilometer circuit.

Amid the uncertainty, it is believed that the F1 teams association FOTA is not currently prepared to charter some of its equipment to Korea ahead of time if there is no guarantee of a race.

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Moreover, it emerges that most teams have not yet booked airline tickets and hotel rooms for their staff, even though plans for the subsequent Brazilian and Abu Dhabi events are well advanced.

"This is a clear sign of how seriously they are worried about the possibility of cancellation," said well-known Portuguese journalist Luis Vasconcelos.

If Korea is cancelled, there will be an extremely rare four-week break between the Japanese and Brazilian Grands Prix.

FIA Formula One Race Director and Safety Delegate Charlie Whiting carried out a site inspection ahead of the October 22-24 Grand Prix, the country’s first, and approved all the facilities. Said Whiting: “It is satisfactory, and I will issue the license through (ASN) KARA.”

.... Even though there will be no official confirmation about the event until then, Ecclestone indicated on Saturday that the race was definitely on – despite recent delays in construction of the circuit.

"I will be there, the world will be watching and we will have a great race - it is on, end of story," Ecclestone told the Daily Express
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