Mark previews the 2013 South Korean Grand Prix
The first of three double-headers to end the 2013 season kicks off with the Korean Grand Prix this weekend. Mark started from pole position at the Korean International Circuit last year, but there’s no chance of a repeat performance on Sunday because he will have a 10-place grid penalty.
“It was disappointing to get the penalty in Singapore for something that occurred when I wasn’t even in the car,” says Mark. “I got a lift back to the pits with Fernando [Alonso] after the race – something that drivers have been doing for years – but the stewards deemed it too dangerous on this occasion.
“While Fernando was waiting for me, Lewis [Hamilton] passed his stationary car at 56kph, which was slower than the pitlane speed limit. I don’t really understand their problem with that; I think it was a harsh penalty. But it’s done now and it’s going to make my life harder in Sunday’s race.”
At least it should be possible for Mark to overtake in the race. There were 43 overtaking manoeuvres after lap one last year and the DRS zone along the 1.2km straight in sector 1 should help his progress this year.
“Overtaking is normally possible around here,” says Mark, “especially if you’re out of position – as I will be. But I enter every race weekend wanting a top result and it’s always easier to achieve that if you start at the front.”
After the pace that the RB9 has shown in recent races, Mark is confident that the car will be competitive in Korea. But the weather might yet play a hand in the outcome of the race.
“The car has been quick at most tracks this year,” says Mark, “so I hope we’ll have good pace this weekend. But it looks like we’ll need to be fast in the wet if we want to challenge for the win here because the weather forecast points to a very wet Saturday night and Sunday. Whatever the conditions, I’ll give it my best shot.”
Mark certainly arrives in Korea in top form, having spent the two-week break since Singapore in Australia.
“I’ve had a great time back home,” says Mark. “I caught up with family and friends in Queanbeyan, before heading up to Noosa. Nothing beats the first dive in the sea at your favourite beach! I was able to stay in the right time zone and, as a result, I feel recharged and ready for the back-to-back races that lie ahead.”
2 Comments
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Barry
on October 4, 2013Glad to hear you should have a chance of making some inroads despite the penalty. And your family still lives in Queanbeyan? As a former Canberran and honorary Queanbeyanite (when I played in a band with some locals) I was a bit surprised to see it. Good luck on the weekend.
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Vic
on October 4, 2013Good luck mate – see you on the podium 😉 ‘You can do it ‘
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