Fourth place on the grid in qualifying for the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi proved to be enough for Ahmed al Hameli to seal the 2010 UIM F1 Pole Position Championship title yesterday.
The Team Abu Dhabi driver was unable to put a perfect lap together on the 2.6km, eight-point course at the Breakwater, setting a lap time of 50.52secs, but the points he earned for his display in the time trial ensured he cannot be beaten in the championship.
He now has 103, with his nearest rival, Sami Selio, 21 points adrift.
The Emirati said: "It would have been nice to claim pole position for the race on Saturday.
"But I now have the Pole Position Championship under my belt and will be able to enjoy the race without any pressure."
The Emirati driver was embroiled in a thrilling showdown with the Team Mad Croc duo of Selio and Alex Carella and Jay Price, the championship leader, for pole position.
Price led early in the third session, only to be overhauled by Carella and then a last-minute "wonder lap" by Selio claimed pole with a time of 50.29.
Al Hameli finished fourth, while his teammate Team Abu Dhabi colleague Thani al Qamzi qualified sixth for today's race.
The grid promises to produce an exciting race, with proceedings due to start at 3pm.
Selio is one of three drivers locked in joint second in the drivers' championship on 59 points, and is ideally placed on pole to close the gap on Price, who leads the championship by nine points.
But Price can strengthen his position at the top with victory himself, ahead of the final round of the championship, which is to be held in Sharjah on December 10.
Al Hameli, who is in fifth place in the title standings, 19 points behind Price, has a remote chance of being champion, but has to win in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and hope for the four drivers ahead of him in the standings to have bad luck.
* Agency
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
STAGE 4 RESULTS
1 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 4:51:51
2 David Dekker (NED) Team Jumbo-Visma
3 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal
4 Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis
5 Matteo Moschetti (ITA) Trek-Segafredo
General Classification
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 12:50:21
2 Adam Yates (GBR) Teamn Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:43
3 Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:03
4 Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:43
5 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
