ABU DHABI // The 2009-10 GP2 Asia series starts this weekend and the Meritus driver Luca Filippi is confident he can emulate last week's performance - where he finished fastest in pre-season testing - to become the first driver to stand on top of the podium at Yas Marina.
Filippi, a former test driver with Honda Racing and Super Aguri F1, will go into today's two practice sessions looking to shave vital seconds off his lap time and gain invaluable knowledge of the 5.5km track.
"It's looking good for both me and my teammate [Diego Nunes], testing was great and we were consistent. The cars looked fast and the team this year is very strong and experienced," said the Italian.
"We were fast from the beginning so this gives you confidence. It is easier when everything starts well and we are improving session by session. We finished fastest so we really couldn't have done any better."
The winner of the two-part GP2 Asia race - tomorrow and Sunday - will be presented on Sunday afternoon, approximately five hours before the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner has his name engraved in history. Filippi is hence hoping to be the first driver crowned a champion on Yas Island.
"A win is certainly possible, we know we can win and we will be fighting for the top position," he said. "Of course, you never know what will happen in qualifying - that is so important - but we are there and we are looking forward to the race and scoring many points. To be first would be great, but I must just focus on the race and not what may happen afterwards."
Meritus's main competition is likely to come from iSport's Davide Valsecchi, who finished 0.2secs behind Filippi in the final afternoon test last weekend, while the Barwa Addax Team are also sure to be fighting for first.
The inaugural GP2 Asia season in 2008 was won by Romain Grosjean, who now partners Fernando Alonso at Renault, while last year saw the Toyota test driver Kamui Kobayashi clinch the title. Kobayashi made his Formula One debut in Brazil earlier this month following the injury to Timo Glock. He will also compete in this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Results
2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
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Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m
Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
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Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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Elvis
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Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
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Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The%20specs
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