Formula 1 Greenlights Historic South Korean Grand Prix Return for 2028
Formula 1 has officially announced plans for a historic return to South Korea in 2028, marking a significant comeback after a 13-year absence from the country. The Korean Grand Prix was originally dropped from the F1 calendar in 2013, just three years after its debut, due to high costs and insufficient local interest.
New Circuit Design and Location Details
At a press conference held at City Hall, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon confirmed that approval has been granted to pursue a new race venue in the South Korean city. While the original Korean GP took place in Yeongam, the proposed location is now Songdo International City in Incheon, as reported by Incheon Ilbo.
The plans involve establishing a street circuit near the Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, utilising existing public roads. The circuit will measure 4,960 metres in length, allowing drivers to reach speeds of up to 209 mph, which aligns with contemporary Formula 1 requirements.
Economic and Cultural Impact
Incheon city officials project that the event will provide a substantial economic boost to the area, with expectations of attracting up to 400,000 visitors over a three-day race weekend. The proposal highlights the potential to link the F1 Grand Prix, which has evolved into a form of entertainment, with K-culture.
"It is possible to link the F1 Grand Prix, which has developed into a form of entertainment, with K-culture. We expect to hold various cultural performances, such as inviting world-famous artists, to elevate Incheon's cultural and tourism infrastructure to a world-class standard," the proposal states.
Design and Historical Context
The layout design is being overseen by Hermann Tilke's firm, renowned for developing circuits such as Sepang and Shanghai, as well as street tracks in Las Vegas and Baku. Tilke also played a key role in creating the original Korea International Circuit, which hosted F1 events from 2010 to 2013.
This development comes as Formula 1 currently visits 24 destinations worldwide, with several rounds taking place across Asia. The return to South Korea follows other regional efforts, such as the planned Vietnam Grand Prix in 2020, which was scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has not yet been rescheduled.
Current F1 Calendar Adjustments
The announcement coincides with a month-long hiatus in the F1 schedule, after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix rounds were cancelled due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A statement explained that after careful evaluations, no substitutions will be made for April, affecting Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 ACADEMY events as well.
The next race on the calendar is the Miami Grand Prix, scheduled to begin at the Miami International Autodrome on Sunday, 4 May. Meanwhile, drivers like Kimi Antonelli, who recently secured consecutive victories in China and Japan, are preparing for future events, including the Singapore Grand Prix in October.
