According to the International Sporting Code, F1′s governing body should already have approved or rejected the new South Korea circuit ahead of its inaugural grand prix.

Instead, the venue has been given until September 21 to prepare for Charlie Whiting’s final inspection, with a FIA spokesman admitting “a lot of work remains to be completed” at the Yeongam site, according to the Telegraph.

Appendix O of the Code says the final inspection for a permanent venue should take place “not later than 90 days before the first international event to be held” there.

If adhered to, Korea’s final inspection should have taken place at the end of July, given its late October race date.

And if a circuit fails its final inspection, the sporting regulations state that the event “will not be considered for inclusion in the following year’s championship unless the FIA judges the cancellation to have been due to force majeure”.

Countering ongoing speculation about the state of the site, race organisers have released some photos showing completed buildings and an apparently freshly-laid track surface.

But other, unofficial photos recently did the rounds showing that aspects of the venue are far from complete.

However, the Telegraph’s Tom Cary said the FIA is “satisfied” with progress.

Indian driver Karun Chandhok is currently on his way to the east Asian state, where on Saturday he is scheduled to drive Red Bull’s demo car around the circuit.

Event organisers KAVO insist the venue is “90 per cent” complete.

Korea’s new formula one circuit is scheduled to host its first motor races at the end of next month.

The scheduling is the latest rebuttal to constant rumours that the track in South Jeolla province will not be ready for its inaugural grand prix in late October.

The Asian Festival of Speed, with Asian GT and junior single seaters on the bill, was originally set to take place at the South Korean venue at the end of this month.

Event organisers said in a statement that the rescheduling was due to construction delays “caused by bad weather”.

“This delay has caused many rumours about whether the event will ever take place,” said Motorsport Asia’s chief executive David Sonenscher.

“I have personally visited the site several times and I feel very sorry for them that despite all their hard work, they missed the deadline by only a couple of weeks.

“I can assure you that it was not through lack of effort or commitment,” he added.

The grand prix organisers said the 5.62 kilometre circuit will open officially on September 5.