Are there many chassis developments to come during the final two races?
Not really. Reliability will be the key thing at the end of the season. The cars are so well developed at this stage of the campaign that the potential for further improvements is very marginal.
Fernando Alonso was 47 points behind in the title race at one stage during the summer, but has made a terrific comeback. What kind of things did you discuss when the season seemed to be going wrong?
My approach is always the same - never give up. When times are hard you need to keep your focus and self-belief. That was our main mission back then, but now the important thing is stay calm, keep our feet on the ground and prepare for the final two races in the best way we can.
How did you rate Fernando's victory in Korea?
It was a great performance, because conditions were difficult and he had to manage his tyres without knowing how long they would last - we hadn't used the wets or intermediates at any previous stage during the weekend. There was a lot of tension.
Are you worried that your slight lack of qualifying pace might compromise your title chances in Brazil and Abu Dhabi?
We know the Red Bulls are quick. I'm a pragmatic guy and their 14 pole positions tell you they have a fantastic car, but for me the most important thing is that we are still there fighting.
At Silverstone, when things seemed to be going awry. Fernando insisted he could still win the championship following that race. What did you think then and what do you think now?
It was a very strong message that reflected Fernando's mental approach.There were lots of points still to be scored and that remains the case. We know it will be very difficult to catch Red Bull in the championship for constructors, but they failed to score in [South] Korea and we aren't about to give up the chase.
Does it change your approach, now that Fernando is leading the points table?
Not at all.
Do you think the title battle will go all the way to Abu Dhabi? Fernando could clinch the title in Brazil...
It would be nice, but I don't think it will happen. Besides, we're fighting for two titles and we certainly can't clinch one of them at Interlagos.
sports@thenational.ae
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
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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
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
