I've been to the Valencia Street Circuit as McLaren's reserve driver and walked around it and I've been around it in a simulator many times, but I had never driven it before this race weekend.
The biggest problem about the circuit, which a lot of drivers have complained about, is that off the racing line the track is very dirty, which makes it very difficult to overtake.
Realistically, turn two is probably the only place where overtaking actually happens. There are two other long straights but it's so dirty off the racing line so it's almost impossible to do anything.
In the first year the race was held there, it was particularly dirty so they brushed the track a lot to clear it the following year. But by the time of the race, it was just as dirty again.
For me, I can't say that Valencia is a circuit I know perfectly. If I close my eyes, I would say I maybe know 40 per cent of it by memory. But to properly learn a track for me, it takes about 10 laps. I'd say Lewis Hamilton can learn a circuit in about three laps as he's amazing at that but, for the rest of us drivers, it takes about 10 laps.
People think that Valencia must be like Monaco as it's a street circuit, but it's completely different. Driving fast around Monaco, now that is such a great buzz. Wow, I can't describe that feeling.
Valencia is not the same. It's probably more forgiving for a driver as it's not so narrow and there are greater run-off areas, and maybe it's even a little bit boring.
But whether a driver finds a track interesting or boring isn't really important at all, what matters above everything else is that there is overtaking. That's what the spectators expect and that's what they pay for.
I don't want to be too hard, as the European Grand Prix is another great race for me. As a Spaniard, it is fantastic to have two home races and, everyone knows in this sport, that it's not easy to get two home races in Formula One.
So when I race there I will feel extremely proud, and that's thanks to the Spanish fans. Obviously, Fernando Alonso's the star, but I feel they treat me, Fernando and Jaime Alguersuari equally. There's something about the Spanish - more than any nationality in fact - that they back their people equally.
Racing in front of your home crowd doesn't necessarily mean more pressure, although, in Barcelona for example, it meant I was doubly disappointed when I crashed out. I was sorry for the fans and also for my friends and family.
My parents were watching in Barcelona but they won't be in Valencia. They don't like watching me and never have - they just get so nervous - so for me it's probably best that they don't come along.
Going back to the circuit, it is one of those places where it's all about qualifying. Where you qualify tends to be often where you finish so a qualifying lap becomes particularly important.
The main points of interest are turn two - a right-hander which is the best place to watch on television as that's where all the overtaking will probably happen. In previous races here, a lot of people have locked up their brakes here - you try to brake late to give yourself the best chance to be fast but you need to be careful not to overdo it.
The next challenging corner is turn four. It's narrow and fast as it turns to the left and precision is required to avoid hitting the Armco barrier.
There comes another slight overtaking opportunity at turns seven and eight, but you risk ruining your race in the process as cars can easily come together here.
After that, it's long straights and short corners until the hairpin at turn 17, another point where spectators might see some overtaking if they're lucky. And maybe the other corner to mention is the final one - it slows you right down on entry before picking up speed for the final straight.
There are challenges for the circuit despite the lack of overtaking. It's very bumpy as a driver - you're shaking all over the place - and it's very hard on the tyres so you need to be kind to your tyres as a driver.
As for Valencia itself, it's a great, colourful city. I'm from Barcelona, so I'd have to say that's the best city in Spain. But Valencia is fun too and it will be a fun weekend whatever happens on the racing track.
motoring@thenational.ae
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Tuesday (UAE kick-off times)
Leicester City v Brighton (9pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United (11.15pm)
Wednesday
Manchester United v Sheffield United (9pm)
Newcastle United v Aston Villa (9pm)
Norwich City v Everton (9pm)
Wolves v Bournemouth (9pm)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace (11.15pm)
Thursday
Burnley v Watford (9pm)
Southampton v Arsenal (9pm)
Chelsea v Manchester City (11.15pm)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Brief scores:
Manchester United 4
Young 13', Mata 28', Lukaku 42', Rashford 82'
Fulham 1
Kamara 67' (pen),
Red card: Anguissa (68')
Man of the match: Juan Mata (Man Utd)
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
