F1

Formula 1 is the premier motor racing class, attracting millions of supporters around the globe.

The first F1 race took place in the UK in 1950, with the best drivers from around the world competing in open single seat racing cars, over the course of the year six more races were held and at the end of the season, the best driver won the World Drivers' Championship.

The rules have changed and developed over the years from 1950, but the foundation has remained constant. The sport has developed into a global phenomenon; the money and glamour and raw excitement of watching the very fast cars of F1 seems to appeal as much to those living in Britain and Italy as those in Singapore and Japan.

Today the drivers are international sporting super stars and the cars produced by elite engineering companies, many linked to prestigious car manufactories such as Ferrari and Mercedes, but some private and independent teams still compete.

From its roots in Europe, the race program has expanded both in numbers of events and geographical presence. In 2010, there were 19 races in venues in Australia, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia, including the inaugural Korean Grand Prix, held at the Yeongam circuit on weekend of 23-24, October.

The Korean Auto Valley Organisation was central in bringing F1 to Korea and was awarded the contract for the Korean race by Formula One management. Despite some unforeseen delays in track construction, and some terrible weather on race day, the weekend was a huge success, attracting capacity crowds and a global television audience of hundreds of millions of people.

Formula One is a new sport to Korea, and whilst the inaugural event exceeded all expectations, much more is expected in the coming years. Afterabc was delighted to work with KAVO in promoting the inaugural event and supporting the growing legions of fans with information and blogging services, and as we continue our association with KAVO into 2011 and beyond, we are confident that Korea will become a highlight of the F1 calendar.

Afterabc's relationship with KAVO is testament to our and our systems abilities to provide sophisticated, yet simple to use, services to the most high profile of Korean organisations.

The Red Bull Team had a terrible race in Korea; Mark Webber crashed and Sebastian Vettel had to retire with engine failure. The race on Sunday ran in extremely wet conditions, and was won by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.