In just his third season in Formula One, Australian Daniel Ricciardo faces the daunting task of joining a Red Bull Racing team that has swept all before them for the past four years.
The 24-year-old has graduated from sister team Toro Rosso to replace compatriot Mark Webber, who retired from Formula One at the end of last season.
Ricciardo will partner German four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel as he looks to join Michael Schumacher as the only man to win five consecutive world championships.
Vettel and Webber famously didn’t enjoy the best relationship as teammates due to a number of high profile incidents which saw them go head-to-head on the track.
However, Ricciardo is welcoming the opportunity to learn from the German and possibly even compete with him too as the season develops.
“I approach it with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. It is a huge opportunity and privilege to work alongside a four-time world champion in Sebastian.
“That I am really looking forward to. I will take each race as it comes, but I would love to be as competitive as soon as possible.”
Webber’s departure means Ricciardo will also be the only Australian driver to take to the grid when the season gets underway for real in Melbourne in March.
And he is expecting the wave of home support to outweigh the pressure as he prepares for his first race in the new RB10 car.
“I won’t need much psyching up, Melbourne will take care of that.
“Being the sole Australian I am sure there will be a lot of attention. People talk about pressure, but for me it is exciting, the adrenaline will be pumping and seeing the Aussie flags around the track will be great.”
Whilst Ricciardo doesn’t expect to topple Vettel atop the championship standings come the end of the year, he is hoping to be at least one step above him on the podium at some point in the season.
“Obviously I don’t expect to be treated like God. I am not the world champion, but I have been assured I will get equal treatment. After some time, hopefully not too long, I want the team to know that I am capable of getting some top results.
“I haven’t set any expectations about where I would like to finish. I would love to get a win. To stand on the top of the podium would be amazing.
“Most importantly, I want to go through the year continuing to learn and match Seb to set myself up at the front of the grid.”
Vettel, meanwhile, believes Ricciardo’s two years working within the Red Bull umbrella at Toro Rosso will help him handle the transition.
“Advise is difficult because he has grown up. He has been in F1 for a couple of years,” he said.
“It is a new experience and environment, but not that much of a step because he knows the team, staff and has already used the simulator.
“He will take some time, but everyone is happy to have him on board.
“I am sure he will find his own way quickly. He is talented enough and has earned his place, so I’m sure he will give me a hard time.”
The biog
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite Movie: Resident Evil
Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices
Favourite food: Pizza
Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
RESULT
Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata win by 25 runs
Next match
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIXTURES
Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney
Note: d/n = day/night
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
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
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight Championship AJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
