Live updates: Follow the latest on the 2024 Abu Dhabi F1
Max Verstappen might be arriving in Abu Dhabi with the Formula One drivers' championship wrapped up, but there is still much excitement to be found at Yas Marina Circuit across an action-packed weekend of activities.
Ferrari and McLaren will battle it out for constructors' championship honours at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after Red Bull's slim hopes of retaining the title were extinguished at last weekend's Qatar Grand Prix.
That will add extra spice to every session of F1 from Friday's first practice to Sunday's main event.
As well as that there is the F1 Academy, Formula Four and Formula Two plus a full programme of activities, including the spectacular air displays and the eagerly anticipated after-race concerts including rap superstar Eminem, who headlines on Saturday.
Gates open at Yas Marina Circuit each day at 9am, and at Etihad Park for the post-race concerts at 6pm. Headline performers are usually on stage by 9pm.
Below is your full guide to Abu Dhabi race weekend. All times are UAE local time.
Thursday, December 5
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix media day.
2.30pm - Speaking to press will be Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Oscar Piastri (McLaren), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
3pm - Nico Hulkenberg (Haas), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Franco Colapinto (Williams)
Entertainment
6pm (gates open) - Peggy Gou and Teddy Swims at Etihad Park.
Friday, December 6
8.30am: Formula 4 UAE, Practice Session
9.50am: F1 Academy, Practice Session
11.05am: Formula 2, Practice Session
12.00: Formula 1 Car Presentation
1pm: Formula 1, First Practice Session
3pm: Formula 2, Qualifying Session
3.30pm: Formula 1 Team Press Conferences
4pm: Al Fursan Air Display
4pm: Formula 4 UAE, Qualifying Session
5pm: Formula 1, Second Practice Session
6.35pm: F1 Academy, Qualifying Session
Entertainment
6pm (gates open): Maroon 5 at Etihad Park.
7pm (doors open): Afterlife at Yas Gateway Park.
9pm (doors open): DJ Tennis at Iris Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina.
Saturday, December 7
12.20: Formula 4 UAE, first race
2.30pm: Formula 1, Third Practice Session
4.15pm: Formula 2, Sprint Race
6pm: Formula 1, Qualifying Session
7pm: Formula 1 Press Conference
8.15pm: F1 Academy, First Race
Entertainment
6pm (gates open): Eminem at Etihad Park.
9pm (doors open): Mahmut Orhan at Garden on Yas, W Abu Dhabi.
9pm (doors open): Birds of Mind at White Abu Dhabi
9pm (doors open): Valeron and Moojo at Iris Abu Dhabi
Sunday, December 8
9.55am: Formula 4 UAE, Second Race
11.25am: F1 Academy, Second Race
1.25pm: Formula 2, Feature Race
3pm: Formula 1 Drivers' Parade
4.46pm: Formula 1 National Anthem
4.46pm: Air Display - Etihad & Fly Past
5pm: Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Entertainment
6pm (gates open): Muse at Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
8pm (doors open): Fisher at Bagatelle, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
9pm (doors open): Tom Higham at Amber Lounge Yacht Party, Yas Marina Circuit
9pm (doors open): Lost Frequencies at Garden on Yas, W Abu Dhabi
9pm (doors open): Eran Hersh at Ce La Vi, Yas Marina Circut
9pm (doors open): Carlita at White Abu Dhabi
9pm (doors open): Francis Mercier at Iris Abu Dhabi
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
More on animal trafficking
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More on Quran memorisation:
WE%20NO%20LONGER%20PREFER%20MOUNTAINS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Inas%20Halabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENijmeh%20Hamdan%2C%20Kamal%20Kayouf%2C%20Sheikh%20Najib%20Alou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
RESULT
Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')
