Ethara CEO ‘excited’ as Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concludes Formula 1’s longest season

Ethara CEO ‘excited’ as Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concludes Formula 1’s longest season
Saif Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, organizers of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Supplied)
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Updated 04 December 2024
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Ethara CEO ‘excited’ as Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concludes Formula 1’s longest season

Ethara CEO ‘excited’ as Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concludes Formula 1’s longest season
  • Saif Al-Noaimi speaks to Arab News about the 2024 season, the race at Yas Marina Circuit and other sporting events in the UAE capital

ABU DHABI: Max Verstappen may have clinched his fourth consecutive drivers title a few weeks ago, but as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the finale of Formula 1’s longest season yet, two teams are still in with chance of winning the World Constructors’ Championship.

In the driver and team championships, the 2024 F1 season ended being far more gripping than the early races of the campaign had suggested as the Dutchman and Red Bull went about obliterating their rivals.

Saif Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, organizers of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, was at Yas Marina Circuit when Formula 1 witnessed arguably its greatest championship finale. Verstappen’s last lap overtake of Lewis Hamilton three years ago has become known among fans, simply, as ”Abu Dhabi 21.”

He believes a renewed sense of competitiveness after a few years of complete Red Bull dominance, is welcome.

“It has been a very exciting season,” Al-Noaimi said. “Max Verstappen dominated the first half, but then (McLaren’s) Lando Norris, and even Oscar Piastri, and the two Ferraris caught up quite a bit in the second half. Brazil was a surprise. Max really dominated in that race and delivered an amazing result.”

Three weeks later, Verstappen won his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship after a fifth-place finish in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. 

“But it is also exciting to see the fight for the Constructors' Championship,” Al-Noaimi said. “McLaren leading, they haven’t won since 1998, Ferrari in second, they haven’t won it since 2008. So they’re going to be fighting really hard to finish on top.

“It’s been a long season. This is the longest in history, Abu Dhabi will be the 24th race.”

Al-Noaimi is impressed by the changes that teams have made throughout the season that have allowed for this thrilling end.

“It’s showing the evolution of the cars from the beginning of the season and how teams are quickly catching up towards the second half of the season. So it’s good to see that innovation, and how quickly some of the teams have been able to catch up in the second half of the season — 2025 is going to be an interesting one. And obviously 2026, with the new rules, is going to shuffle all the cards.

“You have some exciting developments with Adrian Newey’s move (to Aston Martin). We have Hamilton ending his Mercedes era in Abu Dhabi this year, next year going to Ferrari. So there’re a lot of moving parts, exciting things.”

Al-Noaimi also highlighted the fact four rookies will be introduced to the grid next season, a development that means there are no seats for more seasoned drivers such as Mick Schumacher and the popular Daniel Ricciardo.

“It’s a very competitive sport,” he said. “You have a chance to get it right and deliver and you have, in some cases, a few races to prove yourself, otherwise, you’re moved on. I mean, Daniel Ricciardo is an amazing driver, amazing personality. I think he did so much for the sport, he brought in completely new audiences. It’s unfortunate to see him being dropped in the middle of a season and not towards the end of the season. But he had to make way for someone else to be given an opportunity.”

For Al-Noaimi, preparations for the season-ending events started months ago, and it is not just the Formula 1 action that he has to oversee, but all events throughout Abu Dhabi GP race week.

“It’s actually a full week of activities this year. On the ground, some new products that we’re launching, some innovation in the overall experience for our customers. We have redeveloped the Paddock Club this year.”

The changes to the Paddock Club include a completely upgraded rooftop, allowing 360-degree views of the track; an increased capacity;  and a totally new premium customer journey.

These developments come on the back of host of additions last year, such as new viewing platforms Deck on 2, Horizon 360 and Trackside Terrace. This year there is the new Garden on Yas at the W Hotel.

Demand for tickets, Al-Noaimi said, continues, both among tourists and UAE residents.

“We actually sold out of many products as early as June, including circuit grandstands, and that’s six months before the event.

“Since then, we’ve tried to find new ways for people to come and enjoy the action. We didn’t want them to get disappointed, so we had one-day tickets come up in that period. But demand is unprecedented.”

“Last year, we had 170,000 attendees over the weekend, about 70 percent coming from outside the UAE,” he added. “That’s huge for supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism strategy. And this year we expect similar or larger attendance numbers.”

Another aspect of the event that Al-Noaimi is proud of is the sustainability across the entire weekend.

“Sustainability is essential in our planning for the event. When we’re starting to plan for the event early on, we always view it from a sustainability lens.

“Last year was the biggest year we’ve had in terms of the footprint of the event and the scale of the event and the number of attendees. However, we had a reduction in our carbon footprint despite that significantly larger event. And that’s a result of all the different sustainability initiatives we’ve had over the last few years starting to show results.”

While the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains the crown jewel of Ethara’s calendar, and one of the biggest sporting weekends in the region, Abu Dhabi has become home to several other global events in recent years.

“Right now our flagship events are Formula 1, NBA Games and UFC,” Al-Noaimi said. “And then, expanding on the partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism, we were involved last year with delivering Abu Dhabi Art, which took place over a few months across multiple locations in Abu Dhabi. This year, we are also involved in the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial with the Department of Culture and Tourism.”

For those visiting from abroad, the F1 ticket comes with a lot of benefits, Al-Noaimi said.

“It’s truly a full week of activities for an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holder. On Wednesday, you can upgrade and get a ticket to the World Supercross at Etihad Arena. Throughout that period, you have access, with ‘Yas All In’ pass, to one of the amazing theme parks we have on Yas Island, access to the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, access to Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi, as well as a few other tourist destinations.”

But there is little doubt where all eyes will be this weekend, at Yas Marina Circuit.

“From Thursday, you have the pitlane walk, you have the first of the Yasalam after-race concerts happening in Etihad Park. And then you have the entire activities. Obviously the Formula 1 race, but also the support races, Formula 2, we have a Formula 4 Middle East Trophy Round, and Formula 1 Academy for the first time coming to Abu Dhabi as well.”

In two of these support races young local drivers will take to the track.

“We’re fortunate to have three Emiratis racing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend in front of the same crowd that’s here to watch the Formula One,” said Al-Noaimi. “Amna and Hamda (Al-Qubaisi) are participating at the highest level of the F1 Academy. It’s the first time we bring that to Abu Dhabi. So it’s a proud moment for us to see them race in front of their home crowds.

“Rashid Al-Dhaheri returns for the F4 Trophy Round as well. He just stepped up to Formula Regional. He’s performing extremely well. Last season he took part in Formula 4 UAE. He also did Formula 4 Italy. And he’s participating in a few rounds in Europe and Southeast Asia. He's been doing amazingly well.”


Red-hot Marmoush has Frankfurt flying and Europe on high alert

Red-hot Marmoush has Frankfurt flying and Europe on high alert
Updated 16 January 2025
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Red-hot Marmoush has Frankfurt flying and Europe on high alert

Red-hot Marmoush has Frankfurt flying and Europe on high alert
  • The Egyptian’s stunning 2024-25 has led to speculation of a winter move to faltering English champions Manchester City
  • Frankfurt last finished in the top four in 1992-93 and risk being a victim of Marmoush’s success should the 25-year-old move on

BERLIN: With half a season played, red-hot Omar Marmoush has put Eintracht Frankfurt on course for a first top-four finish in over 30 years and placed Europe’s elite clubs on high alert.
The Egyptian’s stunning 2024-25 — he sits one behind top scorer Harry Kane in the Bundesliga with 15 goals, along with 10 assists, in 17 league games — has led to speculation of a winter move to faltering English champions Manchester City.
In Europe’s top-five leagues, his 25 goal contributions rank second only behind countryman Mohamed Salah, who has 31, having played three games more.
Third-placed Frankfurt host Borussia Dortmund on Friday and sit eight points ahead of last season’s Champions League finalists.
Frankfurt last finished in the top four in 1992-93 and risk being a victim of Marmoush’s success should the 25-year-old move on.


While Marmoush has been in Germany since 2017, there is no question he has had a move to one of Europe’s big guns on his mind.
Born in Cairo in 1999, Marmoush stood out early in the academy of club Wadi Degla.
At just 17, he was promoted to the first team and joined Wolfsburg’s reserves a year later.
At Wolfsburg, Marmoush initially struggled for consistency and game time, resulting in loans to St. Pauli and Stuttgart.
He also struggled to adapt to life in Germany.
Unable to speak German, Marmoush recalls standing near the counter at coffee shops and waiting until he saw the order he wanted, before pointing and telling the waiter he wanted the same.
Marmoush’s agent told AFP these initial struggles laid a foundation for his achievements.
“Marmoush’s command of German, French and English has greatly contributed to his success. He is thriving at Eintracht Frankfurt,” said Ahmed Abdoun.
“The Bundesliga has always been a stepping stone to the big leagues like the Premier League or La Liga. If there are any offers, we will discuss them with the club and make the best decision.”
In 2021, the same year he made his Wolfsburg first team debut, Marmoush — who was also eligible to play for Canada through his father — received his first Egypt call up.
Making his international debut alongside Liverpool superstar Salah, Marmoush scored the winning goal against Libya in AFCON qualifying.
After moving to Frankfurt on a free transfer ahead of the 2023-24 season, Marmoush scored 12 goals in 29 league games.
He continued to improve this season. After scoring the equalizer in a 3-3 home draw with Bayern Munich in October, visiting coach Vincent Kompany praised the forward.
“Marmoush is a player who is only going to get better with time,” saying the forward’s skill was “not normal.”
Marmoush’s development drew inevitable comparisons with Salah, but the Liverpool star warned against comparisons.
“Omar has great potential and is an important player for his team and the national team currently, but I hope we stay away from the idea of comparisons, because it will put him under pressure,” Salah said in November.
“Do not compare him to me, do not say the ‘new Mohamed Salah’, let him live his career. Comparing a player at the beginning of his career with another who has achieved a lot over many years does not help him.”
While Marmoush may wish to blaze his own trail, a move to Manchester City would make comparisons with Egypt’s best-known sporting export unavoidable.


Al-Kholood 1-0 Al-Ahli: Late goal seals victory in Roshn Saudi League

Al-Kholood 1-0 Al-Ahli: Late goal seals victory in Roshn Saudi League
Updated 16 January 2025
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Al-Kholood 1-0 Al-Ahli: Late goal seals victory in Roshn Saudi League

Al-Kholood 1-0 Al-Ahli: Late goal seals victory in Roshn Saudi League

DUBAI: Al-Kholood secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Al-Ahli in the 15th round of the Roshn Saudi League at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah.

The match’s only goal came from Alex Collado in the 90+2nd minute, earning Al-Kholood three vital points.

With the win, Al-Kholood increased its tally to 16 points, moving to 12th place in the standings. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli remains in fifth place on 26 points.


Al-Ettifaq beats Damac 3-0 in Saudi Pro League

Al-Ettifaq beats Damac 3-0 in Saudi Pro League
Updated 16 January 2025
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Al-Ettifaq beats Damac 3-0 in Saudi Pro League

Al-Ettifaq beats Damac 3-0 in Saudi Pro League

DUBAI: Al-Ettifaq defeated hosts Damac 3-0 in Khamis Mushait on Wednesday in their Saudi Pro League match.

Steven Gerrard’s team took an important victory, with goals from Mousa Dembele in the 22nd and 45th minutes, and Vitinho adding a third in the 83rd minute.

The win takes Al-Ettifaq’s points total to 18, moving them up to 11th in the league table. Damac are currently in 10th with the same number of points but a better goal difference.


UAE playing a pivotal role in cricket’s modern ecosystem

UAE playing a pivotal role in cricket’s modern ecosystem
Updated 16 January 2025
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UAE playing a pivotal role in cricket’s modern ecosystem

UAE playing a pivotal role in cricket’s modern ecosystem
  • Graeme Smith view that ILT20 ‘was not good for the game’ took no account of the league’s involvement in local UAE cricket

David White, CEO of DP World ILT20, has responded to adverse comments made by Graeme Smith, commissioner of South Africa’s Betway SA 20 league, about the ILT20.

Smith expressed a view that ILT20 “was not good for the game, with no investment back into local cricket.” As suggested in this column last week, Smith’s opinion took neither proper account of ILT20’s involvement in local UAE cricket nor the vastly different starting points from which the two leagues set off on their franchise journeys.

White took a similar line in his response, suggesting that Smith should have taken a closer look at the Emirates Cricket Board’s overall strategy. The UAE has long provided a safe bridge over troubled waters. Initially in Sharjah, its ability to be a go-to haven has grown with the Dubai International Stadium and the Sheikh Zayed and Tolerance Stadiums In Abu Dhabi. Most recently, in October 2024, the prospect of canceling the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup because of civil unrest in Bangladesh was averted by the ability to move the tournament to the UAE. A solution to the standoff between India and Pakistan over the 2025 Champions Trophy has also been supplied by the compromise to play India’s matches in Dubai.

Further back, the IPL was played in the UAE in 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions in India, while the 2014 event was switched because it clashed with Indian general elections. The men’s T20 World Cup was also shifted to the UAE and Oman in 2021. On top of that, the ICC academy offers top-notch training facilities and two grounds on which to play. It is no surprise that the UAE attracts teams and players at professional level for training camps and competitions. It is also accessible from Europe and South Asia. A measure of its success is that the idea of English county teams going to the UAE for pre-season training is no longer considered to be risible.

While these aspects do not directly address Smith’s criticism, they do illustrate the UAE’s pivotal position in cricket’s ecosystem. Aware of this, the Emirates Cricket Board is seeking to use that position to develop its own domestic strength. Who can blame them? Funds have been invested in the community game and in school’s festivals. A secondary school competition has been reintroduced. Three hundred players registered for a development tournament, after which there was a draft with 25 players selected to participate in ILT20. There, they will learn from leading players and coaches.

South Africa, on the other hand, has been playing organized cricket since the mid-19th century, with the first club established at Port Elizabeth in 1843. In 1889 an England team visited to play two matches against a South African X1, in what would later be classed as Tests. The strength of South Africa’s cricket was encapsulated in 2012, when its men’s team became the first one to top the ICC rankings in all three formats of the game. The country’s position and reputation in world cricket is very different to that of the UAE. However, its financial position has been fragile and a franchise league was created to address that issue. SA20 can draw on a sizeable pool of domestic talent and Cricket South Africa has ensured that the best of that talent is available. The tournament requires franchises to sign 19 players, with a minimum of ten South Africans, a maximum of seven international players, a new rookie South African and a wildcard.

One of Smith’s gripes about ILT20 is the number of international players allowed to play in the tournament. Each playing 11 must include at least two UAE players and four in the squad overall. Smith’s view seems to be that this is not enough. One day the balance may well change when enough UAE players emerge with the ability to perform to the levels set by ILT20. Recalibrating the balance too early runs the risk of reducing the tournament’s quality. It would be wrong to suggest that ILT20’s strategy is not developmental. It takes time and patience.

Apart from financial considerations, SA20’s main goal is to nurture the improvement and growth of South African domestic players and the overall domestic system. Smith has gone so far as to argue that SA20 has already helped in the men’s Test team reaching the final of the World Test Championship. This seems to be an opportunistic claim. One thing that ILT20 achieves, but SA20 does not, is to facilitate participation by players from other ICC Associate members. This year, Nepal, Malaysia, the US, Scotland, Netherlands, Namibia and Italy are represented.

Both tournaments have got off to exciting starts. In SA20, last year’s winners, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, lost their first three matches, anchored at the foot of the table. The opening match of ILT20, a re-run of last year’s final, was won by one run by last year’s beaten finalists Dubai Capitals against the Mumbai Indians. Two days later, the Indians had their revenge. The 2023 winners, Gulf Giants, were beaten by six wickets by the team which they defeated, the Desert Vipers, in the final. The Giants’ innings reads curiously. In a total of 119 for nine, James Vince scored an unbeaten 76.

Vince has played 55 times for England, is a long-standing captain of Hampshire, which he led three times to success in T20 competitions, plus high positions in the county championship. On Jan. 13, he announced that he was quitting red-ball cricket to focus on white-ball cricket in 2025. He will play in the Pakistan Super League, or PSL, which will be staged in April this year so as not to clash with the Champions Trophy.

Vince had a decision to make between the PSL or red-ball cricket with Hampshire. The  England and Wales Cricket Board has stipulated that only players with white-ball-only contracts will be allowed to play in overseas franchise tournaments during English season months. Vince’s case is an example of the ways in which franchise tournaments are shaping both the future of cricket and its players’ careers.   

Each franchise has different objectives and strategies. Collectively, they are shifting cricket’s landscape. They do not appear to talk to each other and there is no regulation. Is it too much to expect that, one day, they may respect and understand their differences for the overall benefit of the game?   


Al-Shabab beats Al-Riyadh 2-1 in Roshn Saudi League

Al-Shabab beats Al-Riyadh 2-1 in Roshn Saudi League
Updated 16 January 2025
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Al-Shabab beats Al-Riyadh 2-1 in Roshn Saudi League

Al-Shabab beats Al-Riyadh 2-1 in Roshn Saudi League

DUBAI: Al-Shabab defeated Al-Riyadh 2-1 this evening at Al-Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh, kicking off the 15th round of the Roshn Saudi League.

Yahya Al-Shehri opened the scoring for Al-Riyadh in the 56th minute but Daniel Podence equalized for Al-Shabab in the 72nd minute. Abdul Razzaq Hamdallah secured the dramatic victory for Al-Shabab with a goal in the 90+7th minute.

With the result, Al-Shabab increased its tally to 26 points, moving to sixth place in the Roshn Saudi League standings. Al-Riyadh remains in seventh place on 22 points.