Live updates: Follow the latest on the 2024 Abu Dhabi F1
A grand prix weekend is a busy affair for everyone involved but on Friday, French-Algerian driver Isack Hadjar was arguably the busiest man at Yas Marina Circuit.
Juggling his roles as a Formula 2 title contender with Campos Racing and a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing in Formula 1, the 20-year-old Hadjar spent the day getting shuttled back and forth from one paddock to the other.
In F2, Hadjar started the weekend just 0.5 points behind championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto, and topped the timesheets in Friday morning’s free practice.
He then made his way to the F1 paddock to fill in for Max Verstappen and drove the four-time world champion’s RB20 in the opening free practice session of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He completed 22 laps for Red Bull and finished the session in 15th place.
Just 15 minutes after completing FP1, Hadjar was back at the F2 paddock – on the opposite end of Yas Marina Circuit – suited up for Campos Racing and ready for qualifying.
He qualified for the final F2 feature race of the season in fourth, but has moved up to P3 due to a penalty handed to Paul Aron, who will start from the pit lane.
“It was really intense,” Hadjar told The National. “You are really a passenger, because you have no time for yourself to reset. So you’re just following the plan. It’s really tiring, exhausting, but it’s what I love to do, it’s to drive, and driving the whole day was really good.
“I had to go through F1 paddock, F2 paddock, F1 paddock. Even on Thursday, I’ve never had this amount of media, because when you’re driving Verstappen’s car and you’re fighting for the world title in F2, it gets really busy.”
Those aren’t the only reasons Hadjar has been getting extra attention in Abu Dhabi this weekend. The Red Bull junior driver is a hot candidate for an RB seat in F1 next season as one of Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda is expected to be promoted to Red Bull Racing, replacing Sergio Perez.
“We're fortunate that we've got a tremendous pool of talent. It was good to see Isack Hadjar getting a run out as well in free practice today,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told reporters on Friday.
“We've got two talented drivers in VCARB. But until the situation is clear with Sergio and what he wants to do, everything else is purely speculation.”
Friday was Hadjar’s fourth time driving an F1 car at a grand prix weekend. He took part in two free practice sessions for RB and Red Bull in 2023, and drove Perez’s car for Red Bull at Silverstone this season.
He admits jumping back into an F2 car just a few minutes after being in an F1 vehicle is challenging, but one he has successfully navigated on multiple occasions now.
“They are worlds apart,” he told F1 TV of the difference between driving both cars. “When I went back to the F2 it felt super slow and everything comes at you slowly. But at the same time, it’s incredibly physical without power-steering so I had to get back to it and getting used to it was really tough. They are 15 seconds a lap slower. So it’s huge.”
Hadjar said he was pleased with his performance in Verstappen’s car on Friday.
“I got to drive the best car in the world,” he told The National. “I did many laps ... the programme was really intense. It gave me a really good taste of F1 and I’ll be back in the car on Tuesday [for the post-season test].
“Honestly, I was happy with myself. When I’m happy with myself, everyone is too. So all the engineers were fine with my performance and the feedback as well. So that was great.”
Hadjar was born in Paris and holds both French and Algerian citizenship. He does not hail from a motorsport family but his father Yassine used to watch F1 on TV and did some go-karting for fun.
“I was just a fan of speed and cars in general and I found myself in a go-kart at five years old,” Hadjar recalled.
“The first time I drove a go-kart, my dad was like, 'OK, this little guy is pretty much made for it' and he’s been my number one supporter since the first day.”
His father was his go-kart mechanic during his first few years before Hadjar began making his way up the junior racing categories.
He grew up idolising Ayrton Senna, “just the character himself and his story it really touched me,” he says, and is also a fan of Lewis Hamilton.
Hadjar went on holiday to Algeria every year until he was 13 and is planning a visit with his father there in the near future.
His parents, sister, and friends have all come to Abu Dhabi to watch him this weekend and he has been stunned by the amount of support he has received from the Algerian and Arab community at Yas Marina Circuit.
“It is huge, honestly,” he says with a big smile on his face. “It’s more than the support I receive anywhere else. We are really supportive with each other, whereas in Europe it’s a bit different – there’s a lot of critics and everything. Whereas here, Algerians are all supporting me and it’s great.”
In 2022, Hadjar joined Red Bull’s junior programme after making a good impression in the Formula Regional European Championship the previous season, scoring two race wins, one pole, and five podiums, to clinch P5 in the standings.
“They signed me in a moment in my career where I didn’t know where I was going really. So they gave me the most important thing, which is perspective – the route to Formula 1, F3, F2, F1,” said Hadjar.
He is now knocking on the door of F1 with official announcements expected to be made soon regarding the Perez's future. There is a great deal of noise surrounding Red Bull and RB’s lineups for 2025 and Hadjar is more than happy to know his name has been coming up a lot.
“I like it. I really like it,” he said. “I know what’s going on, I know what I’m doing. I can’t say anything but I can tell you I’m just focused on winning F2. That’s the only thing I can say,” he added, giving a strong indication that his F1 future is pretty much guaranteed.
Hadjar finished fifth in Saturday’s sprint race and now trails Bortoleto by 4.5 points in the championship. Sunday’s F2 feature race and title decider kicks off at 1.25pm.
“I feel really confident. I have a really good car this weekend and I’ll make the most of it,” he says. “I’m ready.”
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
FIGHT%20CARD
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
More coverage from the Future Forum
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
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Avatar%3A%20The%20Way%20of%20Water
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday:
- 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
- 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
- 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
- 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
- 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
- 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
- 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
- 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
- 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
- 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4
