Al Tareq Al Ameri, chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit, is confident the future is bright for the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Al Tareq Al Ameri, chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit, is confident the future is bright for the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Al Tareq Al Ameri, chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit, is confident the future is bright for the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Al Tareq Al Ameri, chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit, is confident the future is bright for the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Tareq Al Ameri: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix committed to remaining as the Formula One finale


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Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm

Yas Marina Circuit officials are committed to keeping the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the season finale on the Formula One calendar.

As preparations for the 10th staging of the race this weekend intensify, the track's chief executive, Al Tareq Al Ameri, confirmed he is happy with the event's position despite Lewis Hamilton having already wrapped up the 2018 drivers' championship.

It is the third time in four years that the five-time world champion will arrive in the UAE having already sealed the title, but Al Ameri believes the continued popularity of the event means they are content with where they are on the schedule.

All grandstand seats and spots on the Abu Dhabi Hill have been sold out for the three days of action, and Al Ameri credits the late November race date, when the climate is cooler, as key to encouraging tourists to attend the event.

"It works really for us to be the season finale," Al Ameri said on Monday. "The end of November window is good for us as it encourages people to come here, to enjoy themselves and to experience what Abu Dhabi has to offer."

Al Ameri believes the fact the championships are already decided will help the spectacle, with no danger of team orders like those in Russia when Hamilton's Mercedes-GP teammate Valtteri Bottas was requested to slow down and give up the lead to help the Briton's title push.

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"We have seen it before that it has not taken a lot from the event," Al Ameri added. "Plus it usually makes for a good race in that you see the drivers allowed to go all out for victory with no team strategy or orders to get in the way. It produces pure racing."

Reflecting on the growth of the grand prix since its first race in November 2009, Al Ameri says it has grown into one of the highlights of the year in the UAE.

"I think it is the pinnacle of the sporting calendar," he said. "It is an international event, it grabs the attention of the globe for three days here in Abu Dhabi. It is always amazing to be able to host the season finale here and it is a good opportunity to celebrate."

Al Ameri insists there is much more to come in the future and says they are working closely with the sport's owners, Liberty Media, to find further ways to develop the event.

"We have a really close relationship with them," he said. "We always try to investigate how we can push the envelope and share ideas with them on how we can make changes to improve things even more.

"We are hoping there will be an evolution to the event. We always define ourselves as the modern definition of a F1 event."

One new initiative for this year is that there will be an area in the Marina Grandstand dedicated to Max Verstappen fans.

The Red Bull Racing driver has quickly become one of the most popular drivers since his debut as a 17 year old in 2015.

Orange Verstappen shirts in support of the Dutchman have become a regular sight, and Al Ameri said the track had decided to act for this year's race, with around 500 people expected to be congregated in the stand, with a Dutch DJ positioned behind the grandstand to add to the atmosphere.

"It happened naturally," he said. "We began seeing some momentum [in ticket sales from Verstappen fans] and the team, when they ran the analysis post event, they engaged the fan base and where the sales were coming from.  So we decided to support it and see where it goes."

The specs: Fenyr SuperSport

Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

What is safeguarding?

“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.

500 People from Gaza enter France

115 Special programme for artists

25   Evacuation of injured and sick

Results

5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m; Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).

5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m; Winner: Greeley, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.

6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Marzaga, Jim Crowley, Ana Mendez.

6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri.

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m; Winner: AF Ashras, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.

While you're here
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

RESULTS

5pm Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner Munfared, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Sawt Assalam, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Dergham Athbah, Pat Dobbs, Mohamed Daggash

6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Rajee, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri

7pm Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Kerless Del Roc, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner Pharoah King, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

8pm Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner Sauternes Al Maury, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson

2019 Asian Cup final

Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

Series result

1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets

2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets

3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets

5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm