2013 Korean Grand Prix

[Traction]

Guys Red Bull is easily 1 sec clear of anyone so it is the finger again for sure. This could be the first ever F1 race that I will deliberately not watch. Its sad really.

Did you stop watching when Schumi was dominating?

[Phillyred]

I know we as fans are a little tired of Red Bull's dominance, but really we should be annoyed at our respective favorite teams for not doing a better job to close the gap. McLaren fans should be especially disappointed.

[Unc1e_M0nty]

Guys Red Bull is easily 1 sec clear of anyone so it is the finger again for sure. This could be the first ever F1 race that I will deliberately not watch. Its sad really.

Did you stop watching when Schumi was dominating?

I did, I'd watch the start hoping for a prang involving schuy then switch off, sad but true.

[Mika1]

I will watch the race, but I have to admit F1 is very boring at the moment.

[horse]

Did you stop watching when Schumi was dominating?

I have to admit F1 is very boring at the moment.

I think that the results / championships are a bit dull this year, but the racing is still entertaining. I must say I felt a little sorry for Sebastian last weekend, as the TV seemed to just completely ignore him. Had the commentators not have been speaking English, I would have had no idea he was in the race!

The trouble with the Ferarri years was that Schumi was winning everything and there was a parade going on behind him. Artificial or not, the tires and DRS have made the racing throughout the field more entertaining and that's why I'll happily watch this race too (but maybe ignore the podium ceremony).

[Traction]

Guys Red Bull is easily 1 sec clear of anyone so it is the finger again for sure. This could be the first ever F1 race that I will deliberately not watch. Its sad really.

Did you stop watching when Schumi was dominating?

I did, I'd watch the start hoping for a prang involving schuy then switch off, sad but true.

Fair enough

[zeph]

Guys Red Bull is easily 1 sec clear of anyone so it is the finger again for sure. This could be the first ever F1 race that I will deliberately not watch. Its sad really.

Did you stop watching when Schumi was dominating?

I did.

[f1316]

Usually, these days at any rate, when I'm 100% certain a particular thing is bound to happen, something occurs to confound my expectations.

Who knows, anything can happen - first corner accidents, engine, gearbox, not enough fuel in the car...whatever.

I also think Korea will be a *better* track for Ferrari. Singapore was always likely to be poor for them unless their upgrade was pheneomenal, but if they continue their Spa-type form here, then I don't think they were too far off Vettel in the race (or Q1 & 2).

So a decent qualifying for Alonso is still my best hope of a proper normal race, since I'm confident he could get to the first corner first if he was 2nd (or even 3rd) on the grid.

[SectorOne]

He said himself he "maybe" can eek out 1-2 tenths. Not half a second.

[stefan_]

‘Front-row’ visibility for Renault Samsung Motors

• The Caterham F1 Team and Lotus F1 Team cars will both feature Renault Samsung Motors branding during the Korean Grand Prix (6 October).
• The two Renault-powered teams have agreed to fly the flag of Renault’s Korean brand on a one-off basis at this weekend’s race.
• The Renault Group has been active in Korea since 2000 through its Renault Samsung Motors brand, which develops and manufactures a number of different models, including the SM3, SM5, SM7 and QM5.

Next weekend’s Korean Grand Prix will see two of the four teams powered by the Renault V8 engine feature a logo unfamiliar to most Europeans, that of the Renault Group’s Korean brand, Renault Samsung Motors.

The Korean audience will have the pleasure of the seeing the make’s name appear on the single-seater cars raced by Lotus F1 Team and Caterham F1 Team, as well as on the race suits of their drivers, at their home round of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

This logo switch is for the Korean Grand Prix weekend only, and Renault branding will return to the cars’ livery for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Renault Sport F1’s Marketing Director Olivier Gillet said : ‘F1 is a global sport, but it is also a perfect opportunity for markets to engage with their local media and clients. Renault Samsung Motors is a strong domestic brand with around 8% of the market share in South Korea, however this opportunity allows it to reach more eyeballs over a weekend and to associate itself with a fast-paced, competitive, high performing sport. The Korean GP is undoubtedly one of the premium events in the country over the sporting season, receiving hourly hits across TV, print and social media channels : in every sense, an advertisers’ dream. This rebrand is part of an extensive 360° marketing campaign within Korea. Local press, dealers and clients will visit the Korean Grand Prix over the weekend. It is unprecedented for us to change our branding, but Korea is also a very unique market. It goes to show how F1 is now fully incorporated into the entire brand’s marketing strategy”

Renault in Korea
Renault Samsung Motors was created in 2000 when the Renault Group purchased an 80% stake in Samsung Motors. At the end of 2012, RSM employed 4,579 people. The RSM plant in Busan, with a production capacity of 300,000 units a year, produces cars including SM3, SM5, QM5, and SM7. The Kihueng Renault Samsung Technical Center (RSTC) near Seoul brings together Korean, Japanese and French engineers and technicians. Furthermore, the RSM Design centre is a part of the Renault Design network, and the design bridgehead for the Renault group in Asia. It is also a window on the latest Asian trends – hugely important in the fast-paced Asian market.

Source: Renault Sport F1

[dxpetrov]

He said himself he "maybe" can eek out 1-2 tenths. Not half a second.

This is what he said with then current track condition. But then it improved by much more than anyone expected. So it would have made a lot bigger gap then he anticipated. This was confirmed by all, even Ross Brawn.

[kooleracer]

I think Singapore was a one off, like Horner already said. I Think Korea will be much closer between Red Bull and the rest. Mercedes could challenge Red Bull in quali again. I hope Mercedes will be better in the race. Supersoft tyres should suit Ferrari and Lotus in the race. FP2 race simulations will tell how the weekend will go.

[Richard]

There's been a tidy up ... http://www.f1technical.net/forum/viewto ... 13&t=15482

[turbof1]

So if mercedes can challenge red bull again for pole, they might have a good shot at the race too. Looking at their previous races, tyre wear/degradation seems to be completely minimized.

Last year they finished 9th and 10th. Seems they'll have a hard time repeating that dramatic race.

[gandharva]

Mark Webbers Pole Lap 2012. You need a facebook account to watch:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.ph ... 2523474436