Karun Chandhok became the first person to drive a Formula One car around the new South Korea Grand Prix circuit on Saturday on preparation for the inaugural F1 event to be held there in October.

Chandhok, who contests his maiden season in F1 with the Hispania Racing Team drive around the Korean circuit aboard a V10-engined Red Bull demonstration car.



The footage, which was captured during a promotional event last weekend, gives an idea of the unique characteristics of the circuit -- with long straights, tight corners and street-track type barriers close to the track.

Chandhok, watched by some 4,000 guests including a large media contingent, sponsors and the country's sports minister, did not doubt that the circuit would be ready even though the final layer of asphalt had yet to be laid completely.

"It has a good mix of corners," Chandhok told the official Formula 1 website.

"The first part of the lap has long straights followed by slow corners, which should allow plenty of passing opportunities. The long straight after turn two will allow some good slipstreaming.

"From Turn seven onwards the circuit opens up and there are four high-speed corners with some elevation changes, which will be interesting for the drivers. Turns eight-nine and 11-12 are going to be really interesting for the drivers, with high-speed changes of direction and camber changes," the Indian said.

Formula One race director Charlie Whiting is due to inspect the Yeongam facility, on the coast some four-and-a-half-hours' drive from Seoul, on his way to the Singapore Grand Prix at the end of this month.