Five things we learnt
Webber deserved his victory
There was a genuine sense of pleasure in the paddock as Mark Webber, one of the most popular drivers in the sport, signed off the season with his first win of 2011.
The Australian has been roundly criticised this year due to his inability to challenge his Red Bull Racing teammate Sebastian Vettel, despite having the same car.
For the most part in 2011, Webber has shown himself as a capable driver in qualifying but has often failed to start well, losing several places before the first corner.
In maintaining his position in second place on Sunday, he was able to capitalise on Vettel's gearbox issues and while not being overjoyed to be deliberately handed the lead, he was happy to collect his seventh win in F1.
Conspiracy theorists immediately started claiming Vettel's problems had been engineered.
It was too convenient, they said, that Red Bull, who had earlier this month noted that a Webber win before the year's end would round off a perfect season, achieved their goal. But with team orders now legal there would have been no need to conjure up such a situation.
Webber won fair and square. As the 35 year old said: "That's how it goes in motorsports sometimes."
Lotus in the money
Team Lotus secured 10th place in the constructors' championship courtesy of both drivers finishing at Interlagos and Heikki Kovalainen placing 16th. The result means the team will be awarded a massive financial windfall to recognise their performance in the past two years.
Tony Fernandes, the team owner, said the US$25 million (Dh91.8m) the team will receive will be critical for the development of the marque, which will operate under the name Caterham from next season.
Fernandes was nearly in tears in the paddock, while Kovalainen said the team was going in the precise direction he was promised when he joined.
Pic to get his chance in 2012
Before Jerome D'Ambrosio had even left the paddock, Virgin Racing released a statement confirming the sport's worst kept secret: the Belgian will be replaced next year by Charles Pic, the French rookie.
Pic, who has competed in GP2 for the past two years, tested for Virgin earlier this month at Yas Marina Circuit as part of the Young Drivers Test and he might not be the only participant to make the step up.
Valtteri Bottas has been strongly linked with Williams, while Spain's Dani Clos is being watched closely by Hispania. Jean-Eric Vergne, who tested for Red Bull, may yet be given a seat at Toro Rosso, but the situation is complicated with Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastian Buemi and Daniel Ricciardo already fighting for the two seats.
Brazilian talent dwindling, but passion is not
Before the race, local media were worried the Brazilian Grand Prix - Sao Paulo's biggest sporting event of the year - would be cast into insignificance by the Brazilian Campeonato, where Corinthians, a local football team, were looking to secure the league title. Yet Paulistas are passionate and proud and filled the stands admirably.
When Felipe Massaprovided a rare highlight with some on-track doughnuts at the end, they cheered like he had finished on the podium.
Lewis Hamilton, shown strong support despite taking the title from Massa in 2008, also took the opportunity of a Brazilian Grand Prix to end the feud with the 30 year old that has cast a shadow over both drivers' seasons. Such an act had been long called for and will allow both men to return in February with nothing on their minds but improving on what has been a disappointing year for both.
Money talks at Williams
The support shown to Rubens Barrichello was worthy of a driver who has competed in more than 320 grands prix.
Everybody paid their respects to the veteran as Sunday appeared to be the Brazilian's swansong.
The 39 year old is determined to race on, but Williams have been open about the fact they are exploring other options.
The most disappointing aspect is that while he looks destined to lose his seat, despite showing glimpses of real pace in an uncompetitive car, his teammate, Pastor Maldonado, is certain to retain his place.
The Venezuelan has acquired more stewards' penalties than any other driver and performed several dangerous manoeuvres on track.
Yet with Maldonado comes money from PDVSA, a Venezuelan petroleum company. When a man with the experience, talent and likeability of Barrichello is unseated by a reckless rookie because of sponsorship, something is very wrong.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
Final results:
Open men
Australia 94 (4) beat New Zealand 48 (0)
Plate men
England 85 (3) beat India 81 (1)
Open women
Australia 121 (4) beat South Africa 52 (0)
Under 22 men
Australia 68 (2) beat New Zealand 66 (2)
Under 22 women
Australia 92 (3) beat New Zealand 54 (1)
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
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The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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