Korea on says Ecclestone

The first South Korean Grand Prix will go ahead as planned, Bernie Ecclestone has said.

"I will be there, the world will be watching and we will have a great race. It is on, end of story," the Formula One chief, who is not attending this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, told the Daily Express newspaper. 

"They had problems but they have done wonders in the last few weeks," Ecclestone said. "I've been in touch, I've seen photographs and the top layer of the track has been laid. They will pass the inspection."

Charlie Whiting, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) race director, is due to inspect the circuit today and on Tuesday with the race less than two weeks away on October 24.

Drivers have said they trust the FIA to put safety ahead of commercial considerations and team bosses said they expected to be going to South Korea even if problems remained.