Formula One news

'America a stronger target than Korea' - Whitmarsh

Martin Whitmarsh is unsure whether a Grand Prix in South Korea next year would be suitable for the sport; the opinion of the McLaren Team Principal, who believes the sport should strongly aim to return to North America, comes on hearing that the Yeongnam facility may not be equipped for a Formula One event.

With the first ever Grand Prix in South Korea due to take place in just over a year's time, Whitmarsh has expressed the hesitation of both himself and the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), which represents all teams on the current grid.

"We hear stories that it's four or five hours from anywhere and that there's no infrastructure - no hotels, no one can get there," Whitmarsh is quoted as saying by The Guardian. "It's going to make it difficult for fans and difficult for media.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Mercedes Team Principal

"We're meant to be doing it for the fans and other people. My personal opinion is that we've got other priorities; we've go to act in North America - there shouldn't be question marks over Montreal, we should be prepared to sacrifice a normal week and get to Montreal.

"We want to make sure we crack North America, it's got a big market - I don't think we should be so arrogant as to expect them to pay us good money to go there; I think, because we messed it up so badly in the past, we should be saying 'If necessary, we'll come there for free and we'll work with you to develop the North American audience'."


GPU Archive - 21/09/09: 2010 race calendar revealed

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