Source:REUTERS/Erlhof
[Saba Sports News] Current Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff recently discussed the topic of the F1 calendar in a media interview, calling for F1 to return to the Korean Grand Prix. Wolff believes South Korea is an underdeveloped market with strong growth potential. The South Korean public is quite receptive to technology, and modern F1 has seen significant development in technological innovation, among other areas. He believes tech enthusiasts in South Korea would embrace and enjoy today’s F1. However, challenges present significant pressure. South Korea currently lacks a strong motorsport culture foundation. Compared to neighboring countries Japan or China, the F1 fan base is not as large or mature. Furthermore, South Korea hosted the F1 Korean Grand Prix from 2010 to 2013, but accumulated losses reached 190.2 billion KRW, and onsite spectator numbers declined year by year. These historical issues indicate that hosting an F1 race in South Korea might face certain difficulties economically and in terms of appeal.