Korea GP venue 'in need of work'

Karun Chandhok is gearing up for his exploratory lap at Yeongam

Formula One's governing body says "a lot of work remains to be completed" before the Yeongam venue is ready for the inaugural Korean Grand Prix.

The Korea Auto Valley Operation, the circuit promoters, claim the venue is "90% complete" and are due to hold their first track event this weekend.

Hispania driver Karun Chandhok will drive a lap of the 120,000-capacity circuit in a Red Bull Racing car.

A final track inspection is due on 21 September ahead of the 24 October race.

Speculation has been rife over the past few months as to whether the race scheduled will take place at all due to delays in construction, in particular the track surface.

And the Daily Telegraph claims the FIA could be breaking its own rules before passing the circuit fit for racing.

It notes Appendix O of the International Sporting Code, which states that "for permanent circuits, the final inspection should be made not later than 60 days (or 90 days for FIA Formula One World Championship events) before the first international event to be held."

At this time "inspection of all work relating to the track surface, permanent features and safety installations should be completed to the FIA's satisfaction".

The Korean International Circuit is part permanent, part temporary, which means the final inspection for the race ought to have taken place by 26 July.

606: DEBATE With the final inspection barely a fortnight away organisers seem to be fighting against the clock BBC Sport's Oliver Brett

An FIA spokeswoman said: "The FIA has been receiving weekly updates from their inspector in Korea and the construction company with regards to the track and its safety installations. The FIA is satisfied with the progress, even though a lot of work remains to be completed."

If the race is cancelled, the 2011 Korean Grand Prix may also be in jeopardy.

The FIA's sporting regulations state that any event which is cancelled "with less than three months written notice to the FIA will not be considered for inclusion in the following year's Championship unless the FIA judges the cancellation to have been due to force majeure".

Although its position in the season's calendar is potentially pivotal, just three races from the end, no alternative venue has been lined up to replace Yeongam should the race be cancelled.

Indian Chandhok, 26, is currently out of favour at Hispania, with Japan's Sakon Yamamoto and Brazil's Bruno Senna currently the team's two race-day drivers.

Potenshöjande medel -