KOREAN Grand Prix runner-up Lewis Hamilton was glad today’s dramatic rain-hit Formula 1 race took place, despite the treacherous driving conditions.

Unlike many of his rivals, Hamilton, the 25-year-old F1 driver from Herts, was keen throughout for racing to take place.

The start of the inaugural 2010 Korean GP was delayed because of heavy rain and when the grand prix did start it was run behind the safety car for the opening 17 laps.

Following a lengthy suspension of the race because of wet track conditions and poor visibility, all 55 laps of the grand prix were eventually completed – although it was almost dark when Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso took the chequered flag at the new Korean International Circuit.

Hamilton finished second after then race leader Sebastian Vettel’s engine went on his Red Bull. Ferrari’s Felipe Massa took the third step on the podium as daylight faded at Yeongam.

“At the start, I just wanted to get out there,” said Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Hamilton afterwards.

“I love racing, and I thought it was safe enough – 17 laps spent running behind the safety car isn’t good for the spectators, and it’s not fun for the drivers either.

“Additionally, I felt it had easily dried up enough for us to start racing – so I’m glad we did.”

Throughout the early part of the race, Hamilton could be heard on the radio frantically telling the McLaren pit conditions weren’t as bad as the other drivers claimed.

Hamilton said at one point: “It’s no wetter than any other race I’ve ever had. There’s no aquaplaning at all.”

He later said: “The track is fine, the visibility is good. I have three cars in front of me and I can see.

“Start the race!”

With the safety car still out, Hamilton asked: “Are other people complaining? What’s the reason why we’re not starting?”

The McLaren wall responded: “Lewis we think other drivers don’t have the same enthusiasm for starting the race at the moment.”

Hamilton’s response was: “Well it’s a wet race. What do they expect?”

He continued: “I’m on the main straight and I can see good enough. I’m sure for guys at the back it’s a bit more difficult but that’s how wet races are.”

And Hamilton added: “It almost dry enough for intermediates.”

Minutes later the safety car came in and the race started for real.

While Hamilton wanted the race to go ahead from the start, McLaren team-mate Jenson Button, who finished outside the points in 12th place, thought the grand prix should have ended much sooner than it did.

“In my view, for sure, the race should have been stopped earlier than it was – it was way too dark to race a Formula 1 car in the conditions we witnessed at the end of the afternoon,” said Button.

Afterwards, Hamilton conceded it was difficult in the closing laps as darkness descended over the gloomy new Korean circuit.

Tewin F1 hero Lewis said: “It was very tricky out there, particularly at the end. It was pitch black, I couldn’t see much and my tyres were finished.

“It was a big surprise to see both Red Bulls go out. Fernando [Alonso] drove really well, but I’m very happy to have scored some points after a couple of disappointing races.”

Hamilton is now third in the drivers’ championship, 21 points behind new leader Alonso with just two races left.

The next race on the calendar is the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo on November 7.