Oscar Piastri secured what might well turn out to be a decisive victory in the Formula One title race after an incident-packed Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Australian came out on top in Zandoort which saw McLaren teammate and championship rival Lando Norris on course for a second-place finish only for his car to break down with seven laps to go.
Norris was chasing Piastri late in a chaotic race featuring multiple crashes and safety cars, when the British driver reported a “funny” smell in his cockpit.
“I don't know if I'm on fire or not,” Norris said. Smoke poured from the back of the car and he had to stop.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen passed the stricken Norris to cheers from the crowd to seal second place at his home grand prix, while Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls took his first-ever podium finish in third.
Piastri's seventh victory in 13 races this season extended his championship lead to 34 points with nine rounds of the championship remaining.
“It feels good obviously, I controlled the race when I needed to and obviously it was incredibly unfortunate for Lando at the end,” said the Australian who started the race in pole position.
“I felt like I was in control in that one and felt like I used the pace when I needed to, it was a bit of a different race to 12 months ago.
“I'm very happy with all the work I've done to try to improve around here and very satisfied to come out on top.
“We didn't change anything special, just trying to improve everywhere we can.
“The start of this weekend was looking like a difficult one and I managed to get it together in qualifying and I was happy with the pace I had today.
“There were a couple of safety cars that spiced it up a little bit. I'm very proud of the whole team and it wasn't just myself to improve to get here it was the whole team around me and without them, none of this is possible.”
Norris ended the race standing behind a barrier at the side of the track with race marshals and his broken-down car.
Asked about his thoughts following his retirement, Norris said: “Not much. Just want to go have a burger and go home.
“I was quick today. It is impossible to overtake here. A good race today. I was happy I could stay within 1.5/2s.
“It was a positive race but it didn't mean anything. I couldn't get past. Oscar deserved it today. Just not my weekend.
“I look on and try to bounce back. I will make sure I do everything I can.”
It was also another miserable afternoon for Lewis Hamilton, who began the weekend by saying he wanted to enjoy racing for Ferrari after suggesting they should ditch him when he started and finished 12th in Hungary before the summer break.
The seven-time world champion was running seventh when, in light rain, he crashed into the barriers and suffered his first retirement for the Scuderia.
Worse was to come for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc collided with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli on lap 53, himself ending up in the barriers at turn three as the Italian team suffered a double elimination.
Like Norris, Leclerc ended up watching the race trackside, in his case from on top of a sand dune.
Defending champion Verstappen, meanwhile, called his podium finish a “great result” that leaves him third in the drivers' championship, 104 points behind Pisatri.
“It wasn't easy,” said the Dutchman. “I gave it everything at the start to move forward.
“We just had to do our own race, unfortunately we didn't have the pace of the McLarens. We got a bit lucky with one retiring.”
As for RB's Hadjar, the 20-year-old French rookie finished third to become the fifth youngest podium finisher of all time.
“That feels a bit unreal, what was most surprising to me is keeping that fourth place for the whole race,” he said.
“Unfortunately for Lando Norris we took advantage but we made no mistake and the car was unreal all weekend.
“I'm really happy for myself because I really maximised what I had, made no mistakes and brought home the podium, I'm so happy for my guys.”
George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes with Wiilliams' Alex Albon fifth and Oliver Bearman sixth for Haas after starting last and from the pit lane.
Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso gave Aston Martin a double points finish in seventh and eighth with Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda ninth and Esteban Ocon completing the top 10 for Haas.
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Sting & Shaggy
44/876
(Interscope)
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
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
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now