The new Korean International Circuit saw Formula One action for the firsttime today as the first two practice sessions got underway in Yeongam aheadof Sunday's inaugural Korean Grand Prix.
After getting used to the layout in their early runs and assessing the griplevels of the newly-laid asphalt, Nico and Michael concentrated ondeveloping the set-up of their cars over the two sessions, completing 50laps and 51 laps respectively.
Drivers Car No. Chassis No. Practice 1Practice 2 Nico Rosberg 4 MGP W01 / 04 21 laps 1:41.152 P329 laps 1:39.268 P9 Michael Schumacher 3 MGP W01 / 05 25 laps 1:42.022 P626 laps 1:39.598 P12
Weather Warm & sunny Temperatures Air: 18-24°C Track: 30-34°C
NICO ROSBERG "The track is nice to drive and it should be good for racing with longstraights and hairpins where you can try to overtake. The grip levels werefine after the first few laps and probably not as slippery as we expected.We did a good job with the set-up and the car feels pretty similar to thelast few races so there are no particular issues to address. The tyregraining which we have seen today could create an interesting race. We'llkeep working to improve overnight and into qualifying tomorrow."
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER"The track has been very good and I enjoyed driving it today. Of course anew track with totally fresh asphalt needs to rubber in but it got betterand improved massively over the day. I am very pleasantly surprised with thecircuit. It is very demanding, challenging and tricky which provides achallenge that I like a lot. It has been a good day for us and we have beenable to do a lot of work on track. We look pretty reasonable in terms ofspeed and pace and my aim would be for the top ten in qualifying and toscore points in the race."
ROSS BRAWN"We are all very pleased to see the cars running for the first time here inKorea today and credit to the venue for ensuring that everything was readyon time for the practice sessions. We've had a reasonable first day with thecar looking particularly strong in the first sector where we showed goodstraightline speed. The grip levels came in quickly and positively over theday which helped. Everyone is finding that the tyres are struggling withgraining on higher fuel levels, particularly on the option, but if the trackcontinues to improve, that may ease. Overall we can be pleased with ourstart to the weekend."
NORBERT HAUG"A very interesting new track with a layout which is quite unique comparedto other circuits. Sincere compliments to the organisers and the thousandsof people who worked so hard day and night over the last couple of months tomake this race happen. This is a very special new venue for Formula One andwhilst every detail is not yet in place, everything will be even better fornext year's event. Our first sessions went quite well today and with ourcurrent technical package, we managed to be where we have been positioned inthe last couple of races. I am sure the first Korean Grand Prix will be athrilling race."
