Yeongam (South Korea), Oct. 22: Reigning Formula One world champion Jenson Button has expressed his concerns about the entry to the pit lane at the Yeongam circuit hosting this weekend’s inaugural Korean Grand Prix.
The 30-year-old Briton, who sits in fifth place in the championship for McLaren with three races remaining, says the entry to the pit lane at the 5.621-kilometre circuit is “scary”.
The pit lane entry is situated on the outside of the anti-clockwise track, with cars braking in the middle of Turn 18, a blind right-hand corner in a narrow section of the circuit.
“The only worry I have is the pit entry, which is a bit dangerous. It’s a little bit scary,” Button said.
“It’s a corner when you’re on full speed — 250km/h on the exit — and if someone goes in the pits, they have to lift (off the throttle) quite heavily. That’s a bit of a worry, and I don’t really know how we’re going to get around that issue.
“It’s a horrible position to be in. What can you do when there’s someone right up behind you? You’re not going to stay out for another lap.” German Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing said the pit lane entry was “difficult” after finishing in seventh place in afternoon practice on Friday.
Webber fastest in second practice
Meanwhile, Formula One world championship leader Mark Webber topped the times in second practice.
The 34-year-old Australian, driving for Red Bull Racing, set a best time of 1 minute 37.942 seconds with 19 minutes of the 90-minute session remaining.
Webber, who said it was a “positive day”, leads the title chase by 14 points after 16 rounds of the 19-race season, with Grand Prix in Brazil and Abu Dhabi to follow this weekend’s inaugural race in Korea. — AFP