Ferrari's Fernando Alonso Takes Inaugural 2010 F1 Korean Grand Prix

The 2010 F1 Korean Grand Prix took place at the newly-built Yeongam circuit (The KIC - Korea International Circuit).The course design incorporates an assortment of local elements. An example is the roof of the main grandstand, which resembles the eaves of traditional Korean 'hanok' houses.

The KIC features 18 turns and the race is a 55 lap event. The circuit length is 5.621 km. The race distance is 309.155 km. This first race on the course saw Ferrari's Fernando Alonso set the lap record with a time of 1:50.257.

Saturday's qualifying runs saw domination from RBR-Renault (Red Bull Racing). Sebastian Vettel took the pole position for Sunday's race. His teammate, Australian Mark Webber secured second spot.

Third place on the grid went to Fernando Alonso, while fourth position went to Britain's Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes. Nico Rosberg of Mercedes GP nailed down fifth spot on the grid for race day.

On Sunday, heavy rains rolled in prior to race start. This did not bode well for the first F1 race on Korean soil. An attempt to get the race under way was preempted after just two laps. With the safety car escorting drivers around the circuit, the red flag came out to halt the race.

A subsequent restart saw rain still falling and track conditions less than optimal with spray hindering visibility. In fact, the first 17 laps of the 2010 Korean GP ran with the racers parading behind the safety car. Finally, on lap 18, the safety car exited and full bore F1 racing began.

Pole sitter Sebastian Vettel held his position from race start, staying in the lead, with Mark Webber on his tail. In third was Fernando Alonso. Nico Rosberg vaulted into fourth spot ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

However, Rosberg soon lost his lofty position when Mark Webber lost control and spun across the track banging into him. The result, on lap 19, Webber and Rosberg's Korean Grand Prix experience was over. Because of this accident, the safety car reemerged, staying on the circuit until lap 24.

When full-speed racing resumed, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel maintained his first place position. Pressuring him in second and third respectively were Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

It wasn't long before the safety car made another appearance on the Korea International Circuit. Sebastien Buemi of team Toro Rosso took out Timo Glock of the Virgin team. This was on lap 31 and the race once again ran under caution, until lap 35.

As the race progressed, Vettel, with his aggressiveness and precision driving built his lead. Alonso and Hamilton continued their strong drives and proceeded to close the gap on Vettel. The power of Vettel's Red Bull looked like it would hold him through to race's end.

Ferrari's star driver had different ideas, however. Daring and calculated driving by Fernando Alonso soon changed the paradigm of the rest of the race. He made a bold move along the inside of Vettel's Red Bull to take over first place.

Then, misfortune struck Sebastian Vettel. He began to lose power and smoke billowed from his car. It was apparent that his engine was breaking down rapidly. What had looked like a sure victory, or at the very least a podium position was not to be.

Vettel quickly pulled over to the side of the circuit, his engine blown, his car on fire, his race day over. In addition, he would have no Championship points to show for his efforts.

With other F1 racers jockeying for points positions, it was up to Alonso and Hamilton to duel to the finish. Ferrari's other driver Felipe Massa was also running a strong race in third position.

Hamilton, with a significantly worn right front tire, could not keep the pace to rein Alonso in. The race ended with Alonso first, Hamilton second, and Alonso third.

Fourth place went to veteran and storied world champion driver Michael Schumacher of Mercedes GP. Robert Kubica of Renault drove a fine raced and secured fifth spot. Team Force India had a quality race with Vitantonio Liuzzi coming in sixth spot.

It was a strong showing for the Frank Williams team as well. Their drivers, Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg finished seventh and tenth respectively. BMW Sauber also had a good day in Korea with Kamui Kobayashi finishing eighth and Nick Heidfeld finishing ninth.

The race saw Lotus's Jarno Trulli retiring on lap 26 with hydraulics trouble. Renault's Vitaly Petrov exited the race on lap 40 due, to an accident, as did Adrian Sutil of Force India on lap 47. The same misfortune befell Virgin's Lucas di Grassi on lap 26.

In the Constructors Championship, RBR-Renault leads with 426 points. In second is McLaren-Mercedes with 399 points. Ferrari holds down third spot with 374 points.

In the Drivers Championship, Fernando Alonso leads with 231 points. Mark Webber is in second place with 220 points. Lewis Hamilton is in third spot with 210 points.

Only two races remain in this ultra-competitive Formula 1 season. Next up is the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on November 7, 2010. With strategies in place as the season winds down, it remains to be seen who will ultimately emerge as champions in the always exciting sport of F1 racing.