Korea doubts return to 2015 F1 calendar

The organizers of South Korea’s suspended F1 event all but ruled out a return to the 2015 Grand Prix calendar Thursday, despite Korea’s surprise inclusion by the sport’s governing body.

The appearance of South Korea ― albeit with a “to be confirmed” tag ― in the 21-race calendar announced on Wednesday was a “unilateral” move by the FIA, an organizing committee official told AFP.

“We were given no prior notice. The FIA just announced it, although we’ve already conveyed our position about the difficulties of hosting a race next year,” said the official, who declined to be identified.

The FIA announcement said the Korean event could be held at the existing track in Yeongam, in the southern province of South Jeolla, or on a street circuit in the capital Seoul.

It was tentatively scheduled to slot in as the fifth race of the season on May 3.

The first Korean Grand Prix was staged at Yeongnam in 2010 under a deal that lasted until 2016 with a five-year renewal option. (AFP)