Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has called for strict punishments to be imposed on any teams violating Formula One's spending rules as speculation surfaces claiming some had exceeded a cost cap last season.
Motorsport governing body FIA is set to issue 2021 compliance certificates to teams on Monday, a day after Red Bull's Max Verstappen could seal his second successive title in Japan.
Only teams who have stuck to the spending rules will be certified while those found to be in breach could be hit with penalties, ranging from public reprimands and fines to a deduction of championship points and even exclusion.
"I think it's imperative, honestly, just for transparency," Mercedes driver Hamilton told reporters at the Suzuka circuit when asked if teams should be dealt severe punishments for breaking the budget cap rules.
"I think it would be bad for the sport if action wasn't taken if there was a breach, but I don't know if there is so I'll wait just as you will."
The FIA was widely expected to issue the certificates last Wednesday but, pushing the process on to Monday, noted there had been "significant and unsubstantiated speculation and conjecture".
Red Bull boss Christian Horner hit out last week at speculation concerning his team, threatening rivals with legal action for what he said were defamatory statements.
Hamilton, who fought a tense season-long battle with Verstappen in 2021 that was decided on the last lap of the last race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, did not mention Red Bull by name on Thursday.
But he said he had feared for his championship chances when he saw regular updates being added to "the other car" while Mercedes introduced their last major upgrade at the British Grand Prix in July.
"I remember after that needing more updates but then seeing updates continuing to arrive on the other car, thinking jeez, it's going to be hard to beat them in the championship," Hamilton, 37, said.
Formula One introduced the budget cap last year, narrowing it from $145 million to $140m this year and $135m next season, to rein in runaway spending by the biggest teams and level the playing field.
Verstappen said the matter was between the teams and the FIA and he was just focusing on the driving.
"There's not much more to say on that. I guess we'll find out on Monday," the Dutchman said.
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Watford 2 (Sarr 50', Deeney 54' pen)
Manchester United 0
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
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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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
1.
|
United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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MEYDAN%20RACECARD
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