Is this yet another dramatic swing of the pendulum in Lewis Hamilton’s nervy title scrap with Max Verstappen?
Mercedes admit they may be forced into a tactical engine change for Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix, hitting their battling champion with a penalty that will send him to the back of the start grid.
Drivers are allowed three power units a season but Mercedes are considering taking the pain for a fourth to be better armed for a tense, seven race, title run-in.
After scrapping against the odds to a hard-earned two point advantage, the decision will come as a bitter blow to Hamilton.
Starting from the very back will be a stark contrast to the way he left Istanbul a year ago. One of his greatest drives to an unlikely victory nailed an historic seventh world title to finally stand shoulder to shoulder with the legendary Michael Schumacher.
So as he returns after a seminal 100th F1 victory, in Russia, with the plaudits ringing in his ears yet again, is it outrageous to suggest Hamilton may be edging towards the exit door?
The last race was an unusually error-strewn weekend: knocking over one of his own mechanics in the pitlane, spinning in qualifying and, most embarrassing of all, a beginner’s error in hitting the pit entry wall. More mistakes in a single GP than he usually makes in a season.
And there were unusual signs of frailty in atrocious race conditions he usually relishes.
Rising star Lando Norris, in only his third season in F1, had his measure in an inferior McLaren and would have won but for a heart-breaking tyre gaff.
In the final analysis the race was won on a guile and a strategy call: reading the weather, not beating it.
All year the pugilistic Hamilton of old appears to have been replaced by a veteran racer with a more sanguine approach.
Both of his clashes with Verstappen - the 150mph smash at Silverstone and the Rettifilio car sandwich - were certainly calculated ‘accidents’.
And sitting beneath the Dutchman’s Red Bull, a whisker from death, surely gave Hamilton pause for thought.
With a jet-set lifestyle between homes in Colorado, London, New York, Los Angeles and Monte Carlo built around an estimated £300 million ($408m) fortune, F1 is now a game of diminishing returns.
Hamilton has broken almost every record there is - and an eighth title this year would crown his legacy.
But a ninth in 2022? Or a 10th in 2023 - would they add more?
Hamilton necessarily lives a monastic lifestyle to remain at the top. But when does the weekly grind of travelling, training and depravation cease to be enjoyable?
He is widely admired within the paddock but his closest companions are his bulldog Roscoe and physio Angela Cullen. His closest friends come from outside the sport.
At the same time the racing risks are increasing. Next year’s rules revamp means a more tightly contested formula promising tougher, closer racing. And certainly more dangerous against a growing hoard of talented and hungry tyros.
There is no more obvious sign of the ticking clock than that his amiable teammate Valtteri Bottas has been ditched for one of those rising stars, George Russell, in 2022.
A sure sign Mercedes are arming up for a post-Hamilton age with a scenario that is lose-lose for the man himself.
His reputation will not be enhanced a jot by beating the youngster but the criticism will flow should he slip up.
And is it just a curious coincidence that Mercedes' black colour scheme in support of his equality campaign will be ditched at the end of the season?
And then there are Hamilton’s wistful reflections of late on various topics. Most noticeably last week at having never driven for Ferrari.
Michael Schumacher departed at 43; Raikkonen and Alonso are still racing at 41. At 36, surely Hamilton has time to tick that box were he intent on racing on.
Hamilton has made several comments about racing next year. But he also radios “my tyres are shot” just before setting a fastest lap.
Of course, this could easily be a case of 2+2 = 58.
Despite it being his least successful season since his arrival at Mercedes in 2013 it is to his credit he is still in the fight – and swinging.
A run that saw Hamilton winless for two months has been arrested with three wins in the last four GPs, so the rarefied air of title number eight still hangs in the balance.
What better moment to bow out than with an achievement which marks you down, unequivocally, as the greatest of all time?
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
MATCH SCHEDULE
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tuesday, April 24 (10.45pm)
Liverpool v Roma
Wednesday, April 25
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (10.45pm)
Europa League semi-final, first leg
Thursday, April 26
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (11.05pm)
Marseille v Salzburg (11.05pm)
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
