Korea International Circuit – circuit information

Start, Korea, 2010The Korea International Circuit very nearly wasn’t completed in time to hold its first race in 2010.

After hurried last-minute work by the organisers the race went ahead, only for a race day downpour to put it in further jeopardy. The race was eventually started after a long delay behind the Safety Car, and ended in darkness as the sun had set before the chequered flag appeared.

The Hermann Tilke-designed track has three distinct parts. The first sector is long straights and tight hairpins, the second a succession of medium-speed corners.

The last sector is slower in pace and bordered more closely by barriers. It was designed this way because further buildings were planned around this part of the track, but so far they haven’t materialised.

Korea International Circuit track data

Lap data
Lap length5.621km (3.493 miles)
Race laps55
Race distance308.96km (191.979 miles)
Pole positionRight-hand side of the track
Lap record*1’39.605 (203.158 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2011
Fastest lap1’35.585 (211.703 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2010
Maximum speed313kph (194.489 mph)
DRS zone/s (race)Pit straight and longest straight
Distance from grid to turn one250m
Car performance
Full throttle62%
Longest flat-out section1125m
Downforce levelMedium-High
Gear changes per lap54
Fuel use per lap2.7kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel0.108s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 201219.447s by McLaren (see full list)
2013 prime tyre**:Medium (2012: Soft)
2013 option tyre**:Super-soft (2012: Super–soft)

*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
**Pirelli’s compounds are softer than those used in 2012

Data sources: FIA, Williams, Mercedes

Korea International Circuit – track map

2013 Korean Grand Prix track map

Korea International Circuit – video lap

Korea International Circuit – aerial map

Korea International Circuit – images