For a man competing in one of the most technologically advanced competitions in the world, Adrian Sutil could be perceived as being something of a contradiction.
Formula One uses the latest electronic and engineering devices to propel cars around tracks across the globe at high speeds as part of a era where news is spread instantly through cyberspace.
The internet allows people to be in contact with others immediately and worldwide. But Sutil, the Force India driver, is something of a traditionalist when it comes to communicating. In explaining his passion for collecting classic fountain pens, the German said that he prefers writing with a pen in his hand to sitting behind a laptop and typing.
"You always write with computers and don't use letters so much anymore, but I like the old style," he said. "I like the traditional way of writing."
Sutil is not the only driver in F1 who likes collecting things. Rubens Barrichello is a renowned enthusiast of racing helmets worn by other drivers and has a wide selection. Jenson Button, Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa have all voiced an interest in watches.
Collecting pens is not a hobby one typically would associate with the adrenalin-filled world of F1, but it is something that Sutil finds enjoyable.
"I collect mostly the Mont Blanc pens, the special editions," he said. "And I just like it for some reason. Some people collect watches but I love pens."
His favourite is one called the Taj Mahal, which he picked up in Malaysia after a race, and that takes pride of place at his home.
Pens are not the only items that Sutil collects.
Like many drivers, he is beginning to build up an array of sports cars at his home. But he also likes buying model replicas of cars to admire while in his home.
"Collecting smaller cars is a little easier" than buying real cars, he said. "You can buy quite a lot. The smaller cars I collect from scale 1:18 to 1:8."
Of the models, he added: "The main focus is on Ferraris, historical ones, but I also like a few Mercedes and there is a Lamborghini in there."
He went on to joke: "Everywhere I look there are only cars" when he describes what a tour of his house would look like.
There is no danger of his hobby being confused with his work. Sutil, 28, has a clear split in his mind between the two.
"It is different," he said of trying to connect F1 to collecting cars. "This is racing, what I do, but I don't collect Formula One cars. I just collect different cars. I do not have any model F1 cars."
Sutil has been on the Formula One grid since 2007 and tomorrow's Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the 89th race of his F1 career.
For the majority of the 24 drivers competing in Abu Dhabi, F1 and racing were always their dream; they had no acceptable back-up plan.
But Sutil, a comparitively late starter in racing, in karts as a teenager, could have seen his life turn out very different if he had followed his original passion -music.
With his Uruguayan father Jorge a professional violinist and his German mother Monika a pianist, it is no surprise to learn that music was part of his life from an early age. He began learning the piano and became so good that he was performing on a concert stage at the age of 12.
His talent behind the wheel, though, took precedence and ended plans for a professional career as a concert pianist. But the playing the piano is still something he enjoys doing when he has time away from the track.
"Sometimes I still play the piano, but the time is limited," he said. "I try to play it and enjoy it, of course. All my family are musicians, of course, so it is still part of my life.
"I have a few pieces that I can still play very good. For normal people it will appear very professional. I still have a standard, but of course I am not training every day, which you need to do to have a real high standard."
Sutil is clearly a man with more than one string to his bow, and it is his skills and interests outside of F1 that help keep him level-headed when the pressure is on.
Much is at stake for him, at present; he has no contract secured for 2012 despite a solid season that sees him sitting in 11th place in the championship, on 30 points.
He, like his British teammate Paul di Resta, is awaiting a decision from Vijay Mallya, the Force India team principal, on who will have a race seat with the team next year, with speculation high that Nico Hulkenberg, the team's third driver, will be promoted. That would mean Sutil or di Resta is going to lose their spot.
The uncertainty has not affected him, he said, and he has no plans on changing his approach here in Abu Dhabi, or in two weeks' time in Brazil, to try to gain favour from Mallya.
"I always push as much as possible," he said. "I live my life today, not tomorrow. I do not think about the future.
"I am not planning anything. I want to do a good race here and go home happy. As long as I can do that I will have a good feeling, and whatever comes out I cannot change it."
gcaygill@thenational.ae
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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
Read more about the coronavirus
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'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
