You didn't have to look at the Yas Marina Circuit track to know the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix was heating up in the hours leading up to Sunday's final race.
Signs that the event's high point was nearing could be seen in the sky, with helicopters, carrying celebrities and dignitaries, landing frequently at the entrance of the exclusive Paddock Club.
This was in addition to the F1’s official “TV helicopter” emitting a constant buzz as it careened around the circuit capturing footage for a global audience.
Another sign that things were officially near boiling point was the groups of people crowding around the track's paddocks as they waited for their F1 heroes to enter their respective garages.
Standing amid one of these congregations outside the Red Bull section was Francesca Allen. While wearing the signature red top of the Ferrari team, she was more than happy to wait around for a glimpse of this year’s champion, Max Verstappen.
An avid F1 fan, she flew in from London on Wednesday to experience the Abu Dhabi GP. “I went to races in Imola (San Marino), Spa (Belgium) and Silverstone (UK) and I can definitely say the Abu Dhabi one has its own atmosphere,” she tells The National.
“It is very international, so you find a lot of drivers being supported, which is nice to see. This is different than in other places where there are definitely one or two drivers being supported by a home crowd.”
Allen describes Abu Dhabi as representing the new modern face of Formula One.
“A lot of the other locations, such as Silverstone for example, come with this long and amazing tradition, which I think is great,” she says.
“But with Abu Dhabi it just feels fresh because there is all the great food, restaurants and concerts every night. Also the fact the layout is quite easy to navigate makes it fun for anyone to experience.”
Our conversation was cut short with the sight of Verstappen making his way to the garage, only slowing down to allow the waiting crowd to take photos of a champion at work.
Further up the paddock, another crowd circled a flamboyant figure clad in a white suit and orange glasses.
It took me a while to realise who he was because I am used to seeing him in red: former Manchester United footballer Patrice Evra. Speaking to The National, he explained that he was on the circuit to take a victory lap of his own.
“I just signed an agreement to create my own content company in Abu Dhabi,” he says. “I feel very excited because this feels like a new chapter for me and to do it here in the UAE, which has been my home for two years, is what makes it special.”
The UAE’s event landscape has evolved rapidly, says Evra. “If we look at Formula One here in Abu Dhabi, we are not just talking about sports,” he says. “There are people from all walks of life and business people. This is because you feel very welcome here and it's one of the safest places in the world. These thing make a huge difference.”
This is a sentiment echoed by Dominic Vesely and Joseph Gattermier, self-described “tech heads,” who work for a cryptocurrency company in the Czech Republic.
According to the duo, the Abu Dhabi F1 is home to a large gathering of the industry’s movers and shakers.
“Everyone that you need to meet from the crypto world is here this weekend in Abu Dhabi,” Vesely says. “So, it was worth it for us to make the investment, come here and have those meetings, while enjoying the atmosphere of the race at the same time.”
Not everyone was here for the schmoozing though. Diehard F1 fans were out in full force in the paddock.
Moko, the Senegalese fan famous for not having missed a single Formula One race since in 1979, was spotted chatting with friends and officials. Also present was Black Eyed Peas rapper Will.i.am taking a pit lane walk.
Meanwhile, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s physiotherapist and confidante Angela Cullen was swamped by fans eager to take a snap of the New Zealander, who some fans have dubbed as the “Lewis whisperer”.
And just as they quickly gathered throughout the day, the crowds dispersed to their suites and stadium seats in the minutes leading to the 5pm race.
One of the last to head into the Paddock Club was Evra, who seemingly never tired of posing for selfies or sharing his thoughts on England’s chances at the World Cup (“They will do very well,”) beginning later in the day. “I just feel blessed man,” he tells me.
“I am here meeting new people and having a great time. It feels amazing to be in a city where everyone wants the best for everyone.”
The drivers parade at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix — in pictures
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: Dh898,000
On sale: now
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
