10 Things You Might Have Missed From The Korean GP
Image source: Getty ImagesSebastian Vettel won the Korean Grand Prix, but there was plenty more action to catch up with over the race weekend. Here are the highlights:
1. Kimi runs out of talent
Image source: Getty ImagesKimi Raikkonen didn't help his on-going back troubles when he crashed out of first practice for the Korean Grand Prix. The Finn lost the rear of the car exiting the flat-out penultimate corner, spinning across the run-off area and into the barrier.
Raikkonen later joked that he "ran out of talent there". Top lad.
2. Hamilton talks weight saving
Image source: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 TeamThe minimum weight limit of 690kg set for next season sparked concern over the Korean Grand Prix weekend. Taller and heavier drivers feel that it was unfair to have such a low weight limit as it will give teams running lighter drivers an advantage.
Lewis Hamilton, who weighs six kilograms above the 'ideal weight,' joked: "I weigh about 71kg. I am not going to be 65kg unless I cut my nuts off! And I eat really healthily."
Mark Webber sent this reply to a tweet on the subject from F1 journalist Mark Hughes:
@SportmphMark tell me about it. Haven't eaten for last 5 years!. Min weight been too low since for ages. Perfect driver now weight 60/65kg. — Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) September 30, 2013
3. How not to make an impression in F1
As a Formula 1 reserve driver, the pressure is well and truly on you if you get given the rare chance to drive a car on a race weekend. That is exactly what happened to Rodolfo Gonzalez during first practice for the Korean GP.
The Venezuelan - who hasn't lit up the feeder series particularly - made an impression for all the wrong reasons after he crashed out on just his fourth lap. He lost the rear end at the fast left-hander of turn 12, spinning into the wall and destroying the Marussia's nose cone.
4. Dinner time
Image source: @DanielRicciardoThe Grand Prix Drivers Association is a trade union of Formula 1 drivers that was founded in 1961. It disbanded in 1982 but returned after Ayrton Senna's tragic accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. It isn't compulsory and several Formula 1 drivers, including Kimi Raikkonen, are not members.
Daniel Ricciardo posted the picture above on Twitter of the annual GPDA dinner in Mokpo. It's really weird to see the drivers in casual clothes and hanging out away from the race track.
Felipe Massa posted this video of the GPDA dinner on his Instagram page:
5. Where are all the fans at?
Image source: LooseWheelNutUnlike the Singapore Grand Prix, grandstands were pretty bare over the course of the Korean Grand Prix weekend. The remote location and lack of interest created a rather quiet atmosphere over the three days of on-track action.
6. No taxi for you
Don't even think it..! There is not space for taxi anymore..! Better both finish the race ;)! Good luck @AussieGrit pic.twitter.com/YbcV2McJnQ— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) October 5, 2013
When Mark Webber was spotted inspecting Fernando Alonso's car after qualifying, the Spaniard couldn't help but poke some fun at the Aussie after the controversial lift-gate from Singapore.
7. Bizarre Jeep deployment
It emerged that this Jeep fire truck was deployed by the chief fire marshal without approval from Race Control. Officials agree that it was an unorthodox decision but one that needed to be made as the safety car was not going to pick up the field in time.
Vettel made light of the situation, saying: "It looked like a BMW. I think it was a Hyundai or a Kia SUV. You want the number plate?"
8. Horner frustrated by slow marshals
Image source: BBCChristian Horner revealed the frustration that he felt while watching the slow response from fire marshals in Korea, as his Red Bull RB9 was engulfed in flames. He said: "It seemed to be on fire for an incredibly large amount of time. Obviously Mark got out of the car uninjured, which was the main thing. It was just frustrating to see your car there becoming a bigger and bigger inferno in what seemed to take an age to get some fire extinguishers to it."
Webber's car was hit by Adrian Sutil at turn three, sparking a fire from the KERS unit. With the next round of the season just a week away, the Aussie is hoping that there is no damage to the car's chassis.
9. Nose job
We don't get to see too many sparks in Formula 1 anymore, but we certainly saw plenty during the Korean Grand Prix. Nico Rosberg's nose decided that it wanted to break free from his Mercedes W04, collapsing as he went to overtake team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
It produced a shower of sparks as his front wing was dragged along the circuit, ruining the German's race.
10. Want to see Ted's room?
Our favourite TV presenter from the world of F1, Ted Kravitz, has been at it again. After rambling on about the abnormally small size of Esteban Gutierrez's head at the Singapore Grand Prix, the Sky Sports F1 producers decided to give Ted the job of giving viewers a guided tour of Mokpo, the nearest city to the Korea International Circuit.
In this special feature during their qualifying build up, we get a tour of Ted's room at one of Mokpo's many 'love hotels' and witness the popular presenter eating raw garlic.
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