Japanese Grand Prix: Ferrari's Fernando Alonso closing in on Red Bull's Mark Webber

However, while doubts continue to rumble about the readiness of the race, the five championship contenders cannot afford to be distracted.

Focus and concentration will be of paramount importance and there is none stronger in this regard than Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard sits tied for second place with Sebastian Vettel, 14 points behind the German’s Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber, who will arrive at the track in South Korea’s coastal Yeongam province with a dominant machine.

Alonso is quietly confident he has what it takes to beat both Red Bulls over the next three races.

Describing his third place in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix as “damage control”, he warned Webber and Vettel they would not have it all their own way from now on.

“We knew before coming here that third was probably our maximum position,” Alonso said. “But we are convinced that this was the worst track of the remaining races for us.

"We only lost three points in the championship, so overall we have to be extremely happy. When we arrive at circuits with more difficulties for Red Bull we need to take our opportunities.”

No one knows quite what to expect of the Korean International Circuit. Charlie Whiting, the FIA’s race director and safety delegate, begins a two-day 'final inspection’ on Monday.

But with Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One’s commercial rights holder, having stated categorically over the weekend that the race would take place, Whiting is not expected to fail it at this late stage.

This despite the fact that the FIA may be breaking its own rules in allowing the race to take place. The final inspection “should” have taken place in late July according to the governing body’s statutes.

As it is, the final layer of tarmac went down only last week. Rumours of chaos and confusion abound.

Alonso is licking his lips. “Always something happens, and if something happens we can take the opportunity,” he said.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo is backing Alonso’s team-mate, Felipe Massa, to make a difference.

The Brazilian, who is not in the title race and is therefore expected to support Alonso, crashed out on the opening corner on Sunday. “I’m sure that Felipe will be the surprise of the last three races of the season,” Di Montezemolo said.

“After this bad day he will be desperately keen to react and we will do everything to give him the possibility to win.”

Meanwhile, Mercedes have rejected reports that Michael Schumacher could lose his drive at the end of this season and take up a management role at the team.

Mercedes Motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug said: “There is more credibility in Norbert Haug becoming an F1 driver than in Michael Schumacher becoming sporting director of Mercedes.”