Fiery Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi expected

Fiery Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi expected
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands attends a news conference ahead of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Fiery Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi expected
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Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton sits on his car as he poses for a group photo with his team ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on December 5, 2024. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)
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Updated 06 December 2024
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Fiery Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi expected

Fiery Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi expected
  • All the storylines to look out for at the F1 season finale at Yas Marina Circuit

The longest season in Formula 1 history ends this weekend at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi with several intriguing matchups expected.

While Max Verstappen has already secured a fourth world championship, there is still plenty at stake at the 24th and final stop of the 2024 campaign.

McLaren and Ferrari in fierce battle for P1

With Red Bull no longer a contender for the constructors’ championship, the fight for the top spot is between McLaren and Ferrari, with the former entering Abu Dhabi with a 21-point lead.

The way Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc put it, Ferrari must have a perfect weekend, while McLaren must have a not-so-perfect one in order for the Scuderia to win.

For Sainz, helping Ferrari secure their first constructors’ title since 2008 would be a special parting gift as the Spaniard moves to Williams next season.

“It would mean everything to me, honestly,” Sainz said on Thursday.

“It’s, I think, the best way to say goodbye to my home these last four years and to the team that I’ve given my absolute best to for the last four years; and I’ve enjoyed every single moment with them.

“And to say goodbye with a constructors’ title, I think, would be the perfect sign off, the perfect goodbye. I am also honest with you saying that it’s still not a long shot, but it is a difficult one.”

He added: “Being 21 points behind two of the fastest drivers and one of the fastest teams and recovering those 21 points in one weekend requires perfection from our side, and probably a not-optimal weekend or a bad weekend from their side.

“It’s still going to be difficult, but I’ve seen worse things in racing happen before, and we’re going to give it our best shot.”

McLaren’s Piastri is confident but is aware there will be multiple battles unfolding on the track that could affect his team’s chances.

“We’re still in a good spot in terms of the lead we have. I think it’s going to be a very tightly fought weekend between probably the top four teams, not just us and Ferrari, which means that some of the other teams can potentially play a role in deciding the championship. So let’s see,” said the Australian.

Leclerc and Norris vie for runner-up spot

In the drivers’ championship, Lando Norris is leading Leclerc by eight points.

Norris will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 10-second stop/go penalty that dashed his podium chances in Qatar, where he finished in 10th place.

Meanwhile, Leclerc noted that Ferrari have not done well at Yas Marina Circuit in recent years.

“We need to do first and second this weekend and we need things to not go exactly the way they want in McLaren,” said Leclerc. “Because on paper they will be strong on this track as well. It’s also true that we’ve never won here in Abu Dhabi, so there’s quite a lot of work. It’s not impossible.

“I think we’ve had the right approach in the last few races and we’ve taken some points even on weekends where we did not expect to do so.

“On this weekend, we are a bit more neutral and we think it’s going to be a positive weekend for us. I really hope that is the case.”

Alpine in three-way fight for P6

Given they were hovering between eighth and ninth at the summer break, it is quite remarkable what Alpine have managed to achieve in the last three months.

The Enstone outfit arrive in Abu Dhabi in sixth position but have to fight off Haas and RB to keep that position by season end.

A fifth-place finish for Pierre Gasly in Qatar gave Alpine a five-point edge over Haas, with RB a further eight points behind.

Gasly will have a new teammate in Abu Dhabi, with Jack Doohan starting his Formula 1 career earlier than expected, replacing Esteban Ocon for the final race of the season instead of waiting until 2025.

“I would say personally it doesn’t change anything,” said Gasly of having a rookie teammate for a crucial race.

“I know exactly what my target is this weekend. I know what I got to do on track. I think it’s going to be intense until the line because Haas has proved at times to be able to put both cars up there.

“Even though we have a small cushion after last week’s result, it’s still going to be tight and we’ve got to get it done. I’m confident. I’m confident we’re going to be there in the battle with them.

“But there’s still a few more racing laps that we’ve got to make sure we optimize and really get together.”

Doohan ‘ready’ for F1 debut

Doohan was already scheduled to drive the Alpine car in Free Practice 1 but now gets a full drive and is excited to experience several firsts this weekend.

“It’s a great opportunity just to run through the motions and go over everything,” said the 21-year-old Aussie, who has been reading up on all the regulations these past few days.

“To simply put it, like the driver parade that I’ve never done, laps of the grid that I’ve never done from junior categories. So these little things that are new territory, now I just get to familiarize myself before next year.

“I’m feeling comfortable and feeling ready for the weekend ahead.”

War of words escalates between Russell and Verstappen

The feud between Verstappen and George Russell has carried over from Qatar, where the world champion accused Russell of fighting to get him penalized during a meeting with the stewards.

Verstappen was handed a one-grid penalty for driving too slow in qualifying, and the Dutchman later slammed Russell, calling him two-faced, and saying he lost all respect for him.

The Red Bull driver doubled down on his comments on Thursday in Abu Dhabi, saying he has “no regrets” and in fact wishes he had said more.

That pushed Russell to hit back at Verstappen as the Mercedes man spoke to the press, in the presence of team principal Toto Wolff, to “set the record straight.”

“As drivers, you fight hard on the track, you fight hard in the stewards; the same way as Max the very next day asked his team to look at Lando’s penalty through the yellow flag,” Russell explained.

“That’s not personal Max to Lando, that’s just racing. And I do not see why he felt the need for this personal attack, and I’m not going to take it.

“I’m not going to stand here watching some guy slam me personally as he has done.”

Russell claimed that Verstappen threatened to purposely crash into him.

The Brit added: “I think we’ve got a duty as drivers, I’ve got an 8-year-old nephew who’s just starting go-karting, he watches all of my races, watches TikTok, watches YouTube, and for a world champion to be coming out saying he’s going to go out of his way to crash into someone, put them on their (expletive) head, that is not the sort of role models we should be.

“He’s a four-time world champion, but when I compare his actions to the ones of Lewis (Hamilton) — Lewis is the sort of world champion I aspire to be like.”

Hamilton bids Mercedes farewell

Meanwhile, Russell’s teammate, Hamilton, is ending a history-making 12-year chapter with Mercedes as he prepares to race his 246th and final Grand Prix with the Silver Arrows.

Hamilton admitted it has been a “painful” and “emotional” time since he announced his move to Ferrari next year, and he “massively underestimated” how difficult it would be.

“It’s been a very emotional year for me. And I think I’ve not been at my best in handling and dealing with those emotions,” he confessed on Thursday.

“You’ve all seen the worst of me and seen the best of me and I’m not going to apologize for either because I’m only human and I don’t always get it right.

“And I would definitely say this year’s been one of the worst in terms of handling that from my side, which I’ll work on trying to be better at.”

Quick hits

— In practice on Friday, Leclerc and his younger brother Arthur will make history as the first siblings to take part in a Formula 1 session as teammates.

— There is uncertainty about the future of some drivers including Sergio Perez and Franco Colapinto. Despite rumors he is being replaced next year, Perez renewed his contract with Red Bull earlier this year — until the end of 2026 — and is hopeful it will stick.

The new terms of his agreement could possibly include performance clauses. Meanwhile, Williams rookie Colapinto is highly-rated but without a confirmed seat for next year.

“I am trying to stay away (from speculation). I try to enjoy the moment. At the moment it’s my last race, so I’m trying to give the best I can for the team,” said the young Argentine.

— The F1 Academy is also in Abu Dhabi this weekend and Emirati sisters Hamda and Amna Al-Qubaisi will be racing for the last time in the female-only series. They have hit the two-season limit and get to enjoy a swansong on home soil.

— The battle for the Formula 2 Championship could not be any tighter with leader Gabriel Bortoleto and contender Isack Hadjar separated by just half a point.


Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters

Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters
Updated 20 January 2025
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Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters

Swiatek steps into unknown against Navarro in Melbourne quarters
  • All the Pole’s wins in Melbourne have come in straight sets and she has dropped only 11 games

MELBOURNE: Iga Swiatek said Monday she was stepping into the unknown against Emma Navarro after the pair had wildly contrasting runs to their Australian Open quarterfinal clash. 

Swiatek showed no mercy to end “lucky loser” Eva Lys’s historic run, marching into the last eight 6-0, 6-1 in an hour. 

All the Pole’s wins in Melbourne have come in straight sets and she has dropped only 11 games. 

By contrast, Navarro spent 2hr 40min on court, blowing three second-set match points before beating Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 as she was taken the distance for a fourth match in a row. 

“I don’t know what I’m expecting,” said five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek of the American Navarro. 

“We played in 2018, but I’m not going to count this. 

“I have to treat Emma as someone that I never played. We both made huge progress since that time. It’s a bit different when you don’t know the opponent that well.” 

The world No. 2 has spent less than five hours on court at the first Grand Slam of the year, while eighth seed Navarro has been extended to more than double that playing time. 

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic got the mea culpas he wanted from a local broadcaster and its employee who insulted him on the air and so, according to tournament organizers, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is ready to concentrate on his quarterfinal showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

“Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested," read a statement issued Monday by Tennis Australia, "and is now moving on and focusing on his next match.” 

Also on Monday, Jannik Sinner battled dizzy spells to reach an Australian Open quarterfinal against Alex de Minaur, admitting a long interruption when he accidentally broke the net was “big, big luck.” 

The world No. 1 and defending champion dropped a set before coming home 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Danish 13th seed Holger Rune on Rod Laver Arena. 

Sinner struggled in the hot Melbourne conditions, his hand visibly shaking and his heart rate taken in the third set before he left court for a medical timeout. 

There was then a bizarre 20-minute delay when Sinner demolished the metal brace that secures the net to the floor with a thunderous serve early in set four. 

“I was not feeling really well. You know, I think we saw that today I was struggling physically,” said Sinner, 23, who is bidding to become the first Italian man to win three Grand Slam crowns. 

He refused to say exactly what was wrong with him, only that he was “not there health-wise” and had been “a bit dizzy at times.” 

“I don’t want to go into details. I think it was, you know, then also with the pressure and everything, it was not easy.” 

He admitted that the time off court in air-conditioning while officials repaired the net helped him refresh. 

“I was lucky today that ... 20 minutes off court, you know, trying to get back physically, putting some cold water in my head, it was very helpful. It was big, big luck to me today.” 

Sinner is bidding to defend a Grand Slam title for the first time after beating Daniil Medvedev in the final last year. 

His win put him into a clash against home hope De Minaur, who brushed past American Alex Michelsen 6-0, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to make his maiden Australian Open quarterfinal. 

De Minaur wiped the floor with Michelsen in the opening set, but his serve then faltered and he was forced to a close tiebreak after the American staged a fightback. 

But De Minaur broke with a forehand winner in the sixth game of the third set and pulled away for the win. 

“It means the world,” said De Minaur. “There’s nothing I want to do more than play well here in Australia. So glad I finally made the quarterfinals ... But let’s go for bigger and better things.” 

As temperatures rose above 30 Celsius, Sinner assumed control against Rune by breaking to love.


McCullum sees India series as ideal prep for Champions Trophy in Pakistan

McCullum sees India series as ideal prep for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Updated 20 January 2025
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McCullum sees India series as ideal prep for Champions Trophy in Pakistan

McCullum sees India series as ideal prep for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
  • The tourists, led by Jos Buttler, will face India in the first of five T20 internationals in Kolkata on Wednesday
  • India series marks England’s first limited-overs tour under coach McCullum, previously in charge only of Test side

KOLKATA: England coach Brendon McCullum said Monday he hopes his side emerge from a host of limited overs matches against India in “good shape” for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The tourists, led by Jos Buttler, will face India in the first of five T20 internationals at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
The India series marks England’s first limited-overs tour under McCullum, previously in charge only of the Test side.
“I’m desperate for us to play a really watchable brand of cricket,” McCullum told reporters. “With the talent we have, there’s no reason we can’t.”
The teams will play three one-day matches, before they move into the eight-team ODI Champions Trophy starting February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.
“We’ll use the next few weeks to try and hit the ground running, I’m sure there will be some times where we don’t quite get it right,” he added.
“But, hopefully, we will chisel away at that over the next few weeks, and we’ll be in good shape come that Champions Trophy.”
The 43-year-old McCullum said Buttler, who will only play as a batsman and not keep wicket on the tour, will leave a lasting legacy as England’s white-ball leader.
“He’s in a really good space, he’s excited about the team we’ve got, and excited about the opportunity that sits in front of us,” the former New Zealand skipper said.
“I’m sure we’ll see Jos over the next couple of years really enjoy himself, and hopefully finish with a real strong enjoyment for the game at the back end of his career.”
But India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, remain the favorites on home turf — and have been boosted by the return of fast bowler Mohammed Shami after he recovered from a foot injury.
Shami, 34, last played for India in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023 and recently participated in a few domestic matches to mark his return to competitive cricket.
“It’s a really good sign for us,” India’s T20 vice-captain Axar Patel said. “We hope he continues what he did in the World Cup.”


Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud appointed to Asia yoga board

Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud. (Supplied)
Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud. (Supplied)
Updated 20 January 2025
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Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud appointed to Asia yoga board

Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud. (Supplied)
  • Princess Mashael is vice president of Saudi Yoga Committee
  • She has over 15 years of expertise in several yoga traditions

JEDDAH: The Asian Yogasana Sport Federation has announced the appointment of Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud, representing Saudi Arabia, to the organization’s board.

Princess Mashael will also head the federation’s Women and Children’s Safeguarding Committee, the AYSF stated in a press release recently.

The appointment was approved unanimously at the AYSF’s sixth general assembly in Dubai recently.

Princess Mashael, the vice president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, has been instrumental in empowering women and youth, and ensuring athlete safety at various sporting events.

Her appointment represents a significant step toward increasing women’s participation in sports, promoting initiatives to protect women and children, and supporting the growth of Yogasana and traditional sports across Asia.

She has over 15 years of yoga expertise, including Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, the Himalayan tradition of meditation, and yoga therapy.

She trained with the AYSF in 2022, mastering yoga federation management and Yogasana systems.

In addition to her yoga accomplishments, the princess is a passionate advocate for women and youth in sports, the AYSF stated.

She owns and runs a sports nongovernmental organization and heads the women’s committee of the Arab Cycling Federation.


Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event

Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event
Updated 20 January 2025
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Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event

Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event
  • It will take place on Jan. 30 as part of Riyadh Season

RIYADH: Power Slap, in partnership with the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, is set to host its first event in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 30 at the anb Arena as part of Riyadh Season.

The focal point of Power Slap 11 will see reigning super heavyweight champion Da Crazy Hawaiian (16-1-1, 12 KOs) and No. 1 ranked super heavyweight Dumpling (1-0-1, 1 KO) face off in a rematch after they drew at Power Slap 9 in Abu Dhabi.

In the co-main event, light heavyweight champion Wolverine (14-5, 5 KOs) returns to defend his belt for the third time against rising contender Vern “The Mechanic” Cathey (5-2, 5 KOs).

Power Slap, founded by Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian in partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship, has grown in recent years to reach huge audiences around the world.

In just two years, with only 10 live events, Power Slap has gained 22 million social media followers and its content has garnered over 11.5 billion lifetime views across its platforms. Events regularly draw global influencers with more than a billion followers collectively.

Additional matches on the card include: 

  • No. 2 ranked light heavyweight Russel “Kainoa” Rivero (4-3, 3 KOs) and No. 3 ranked light heavyweight Austin “Turp Daddy Slim” Turpin (5-2, 4 KOs) face off in a pivotal match.
  • 2 ranked super heavyweight Kalani “Toko” Vakameilalo (2-1, 2 KOs) aims to defend his spot in the rankings against No. 3 ranked super heavyweight Danie “The Pitbull” Van Heerden (5-2, 4 KOs).
  • The return of women’s featherweight star Sheena “The Hungarian Hurricane” Bathory (3-0, 2 KOs), in a highly anticipated grudge rematch against Jackie “The Hybrid” Cataline (1-2).

Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 20 January 2025
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Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • First round of contest had Sharjah Self-Defense finish second and Al-Ain third

ABU DHABI: The first round of the second Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena with Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club taking first place, Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club in second, and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club third.

The last day of the competition had competitors between the ages of 4 and 8, and under-12, take to the mats. Athletes in the adult and youth categories participated over the previous days.

Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said he was delighted with the organization of the event, and the participation of a high number of clubs and academies.

“The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is an exemplary model for sports competitions, made possible by the vision and limitless support of the wise leadership,” he said.

“The championship successfully hosted 2,000 male and female athletes from various clubs and academies, along with their families and sports fans, making it a unique platform that merges competitive excellence with community engagement.”