Next weekend's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will have another area of focus apart from delivering a world-class F1 race - sustainability.
The Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), promoters of the STC Saudi Arabian GP 2023, have announced their commitment to ensure event waste is reused, recycled, or composted to help deliver the kingdom’s Vision 2030 sustainability mandate.
The plan is to reduce single-use plastic usage and deliver a waste recycling system for plastic, paper, glass, electronic and medical waste.
The race in Jeddah will have separate bins for various waste types with clear signage and identifiable colour coding across high footfall areas of the paddock, paddock club, hospitality venues, media and broadcasting centre.
SMC will have their own team to oversee the process and will conduct a comprehensive audit report at the end of the F1 race.
It should set the stage for an exhilarating race in the kingdom next week. World champion Max Verstappen claimed his maiden season-opening victory and first at the Sakhir circuit when he led Sergio Perez home in a dominant Red Bull one-two at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The defending double world champion led from start to finish, bar the pit stops, to establish himself as a strong favourite for a third consecutive drivers' crown this year.
It was his first win in the Gulf state at the 10th attempt.
Behind the two Red Bulls, two-time champion Fernando Alonso, 41, stormed his way to a rousing third place for Aston Martin in his first appearance with the team since succeeding the retired four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The UAE's journey to space
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
