The 2021 Formula One season has gone down to the wire, with the world champion to be crowned at the end of the final race in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are level on points and it will be a straight shootout on Yas, with the driver who edges his rival taking the big prize
But who will that be? The other drivers on the grid give their predictions.
Fernando Alonso (Alpine, double champion)
“Each of us approaches these moments differently. They are on top of their game, both of them are driving amazingly, they are making no mistakes and pushing the limits every race. They are first and second in every race because they are on another level to the rest. It’s fantastic to see how they push each other. This final race is going to be tense for them, for sure. We will see. It will depend upon the package. Max is driving, in my opinion, one step ahead of all of us. We saw in Jeddah that lap, where he touched the wall, was coming from Max not the Red Bull. Mercedes deserve the constructors championship because the car is superior. And Max, over the year, is driving one step ahead of everyone. It’s not that I support Max it’s that I think he deserves it. He’s driving that Red Bull to another level. They are very well prepared, committed, fast, professional, no mistakes, both driving at the limit, so it’s very interesting to watch from the outside.”
Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin, four-time champion)
“Michael [Schumacher] is my hero, for that reason I probably don’t want Lewis to win [to beat Schumacher’s record seven titles] but the truth is Max and Lewis have both had a strong season and they are going in to the last race with the chance to win the championship because they both deserve it. In a way I’d be happy if Michael’s record still stands but even if Lewis wins Michael is still the greatest. Lewis can win one more, two, three, five more championships, it doesn’t change anything for me. And I get along with Lewis. The gut says I want Max to win just to keep Michael’s record alive. But my head is clear: may the better man win.”
George Russell (Williams)
“I’d love to see Lewis win, what he has achieved, especially recently, has been pretty exceptional, to even be in the fight altogether when Red Bull had such a far superior car at the start of the year, then to win three of the first four races when Red Bull were clearly the quickest package out there. Max has done an exceptional job. You can argue they both deserve to win for different reasons, hopefully it’s a clean and fair race and the best man wins."
Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo, ex-champion)
“It doesn’t matter to me who wins but if I had to chose one I’d probably go for the Red Bull, they’re doing something different, you know.”
Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
“I’ve stopped doing predictions about the way it’s going to go this season. At moments I’ve thought Max and at others I’ve thought Lewis. It’s so hard to read. Ultimately, it’s great for the sport that it’s going down to the wire equal on points. People talk about the whole season but ultimately, it’s who has a better Abu Dhabi weekend. When you break it down, whoever does this weekend better than the other is going to be crowned champ.
Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
“It’s amazing for Formula 1 to have two drivers from two different teams, fighting for the world championship at the last race and it being tied after so many races. Both have had an amazing season. As a motorsport fan I even enjoy the highlights. On Sunday I watched the highlights and thought ‘that was a great race to watch in terms of battles they gave us how close they got and how they were pushing the limits’. It’s an amazing time for the entire F1 community and our sport in general. I’m really excited to see what happens this weekend. I think Max will have the edge in the end but I am not sure they will finish the race. I think Red Bull and Max will get it.”
Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
“They are both driving at an incredible level and both had an incredible season. I just wish they can keep it clean this last weekend and give it a good show for the image of the sport more than anything. That we are still a sport and merely a show. Show good sportsmanship and put on a good show in a grand final.”
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
“I hope we get both titles. That’s the focus but how we get there is not that different to any other race. We need to learn the track and go from there. The preparation is like any other track. But there is real excitement within the team. Crazy that Lewis and Max are equal after 21 races and it’s like the dream finish for team and the fans. This is what we love, close battles. I’m a team player and will do what is best for the team.”
Sergio Perez (Red Bull driver):” Everyone at Red Bull is up for it and we have come this far and this one race can decide a lot of things. In this sport anything can happen. Max being equal with Lewis is a massive thing.”
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari
Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam
Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni
Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir
Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka
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Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
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Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
More coverage from the Future Forum
MATCH INFO
Scotland 59 (Tries: Hastings (2), G Horne (3), Turner, Seymour, Barclay, Kinghorn, McInally; Cons: Hastings 8)
Russia 0
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
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2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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