Formula One: Typhoon concern for drivers and officials at Korean Grand Prix

YEONGAM, SOUTH KOREA (AFP) - Drivers and officials at the Korean Grand Prix were Thursday keeping a wary eye on a typhoon forecast to skirt the country, reviving memories of atrocious conditions three years ago that nearly saw the race cancelled.

The outer bands of Typhoon Fitow could bring rain on Sunday morning to the area in the southwest of South Korea where the grand prix takes place, forecasters say.

The race is scheduled for 3pm (0600 GMT) on Sunday.

World champion Sebastian Vettel was among those fearing the weather could impact the outcome of the race.

"There is rain forecast on Sunday at this stage - maybe a bit more than rain, maybe some heavy rain. We do not know what's coming," he said.

The storm is on track directly to hit China's coast just south of Shanghai, according to latest updates from the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Fitow was packing maximum sustained winds near its centre of 120 kilometres (75 miles) an hour, the Hong Kong Observatory said.

The inaugural Korean Grand Prix in 2010 was badly affected by heavy rain.

The heavens opened before the race had even begun. After careful deliberation, the action was tentatively started behind the safety car, before more rain saw the race halted for about an hour.

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