Sep.25 (GMM) Officials of the embattled Korean grand prix are in the paddock this weekend for crisis talks with F1's governing body.

As previously reported, Charlie Whiting did not inspect the new Yeongam circuit as scheduled earlier this week.

It was believed that September 28 had been installed as the new final inspection date, giving the organisers more time to lay the crucial final layer of asphalt.

However, according to the Associated Press news agency and the Telegraph newspaper, the official reason for the September 21 delay was an unforeseen Korean national holiday.

FIA press officer Alexandra Schieren confirmed on Saturday that talks with the Korean officials are taking place in Singapore.

She said the final inspection will now take place either next week or the week after.

Should it take place the week after next, that would leave mere days before the formula one world is due to travel to Korea.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told Singapore newspaper the Straits Times on Saturday that Asia had become crucial to F1.

"For years and years, I have been saying the world has been moving this way -- moving east, not west," he said.

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