BARCELONA // With their team's Formula One future only confirmed in March, few expected the Brawn pairing of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello to be challenging for the world championship.
Their past records gave little indication of such a storming start that has seen Button win three of the first four races.
Although the Englishman finished third with BAR in 2004, he went three years without winning a race until his victory in the opening round this season in Melbourne. Barrichello, 36, also came third on the final leaderboard eight years ago when he was with Ferrari, but is hoping his barren run could end with a dream finish in Abu Dhabi on Nov 1.
The Brazilian is in second place, 12 points behind Button, but is determined to overhaul his teammate and taste glory in what is the twilight of his career.
Victory at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya today would certainly help his cause and, as an intriguing title race develops, both are not in the mood to help each other.
Each driver wants to be a winner and demonstrated that in qualifying yesterday with Button's brilliant final effort clinching pole position by just 0.133secs from the Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, and Barrichello, who was third.
As he prepares for his 276th grand prix, Barrichello revealed he will not pass on any words of wisdom acquired during his 16 years in the sport to his teammate.
"Advice? No, never," he said, with a smile. "I want to win.
"It would be very nice to go to Abu Dhabi at the end and both of us fighting for the championship.
"We will see, but to win the championship, your mind is everything, and then the experience and evolutions on the car side. If it all comes together you have a good chance.
"Jenson is doing a great job and deserves to be there, but it [the pole position] came as a surprise. I am disappointed I did not get it.
"Maybe I went out a bit too early on the track and that's a missed opportunity. But I think we have a good car for the race and I'm still fighting. Jenson is doing well, but I have to try harder and harder to get to him."
Barrichello's viewpoint shows just how much is at stake, and brought back memories of recent rivalries between the Ferrari duo Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, and Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso when they were together at McLaren-Mercedes.
Button says he has been pleased with the team's performances so far, but he is single-minded in his efforts to maintain his position at the top of the standings.
He justified that by his flying finish to claim the lead position on the front row, aware that the last eight races at Barcelona have been won by the driver who started on pole.
"It was by far the best lap I've had all weekend," said Button, who also fears the Ferrari of Felipe Massa, which starts in fourth place.
"All weekend, Rubens has been tremendous and I've found it very hard to hang on to him on low fuel," he said. "When I realised I had pole, it felt very good, but it was a surprise.
"As a team we have done a great job. This package is a step forward and I don't think we have got the maximum out of it yet. Both of us are in the top three and it's very close. The Ferrari is very quick and they have KERS so it's going to be a tough race. It could be mayhem on the first lap."
If he survives the early challenge, it would be hard to see anyone stopping Button from extending his lead at the top. But he has vowed to remain focused until the season ends in Abu Dhabi.
"Not at any moment have I said, 'ha, there you go, I've proved what I can do'," he added. "I'm not here for that. I'm here to do the best job I can and in a selfish way, for myself, and secondly for the team.
"I'm enjoying leading the way, although not being the centre of attention. There's not really any more pressure on me. When you've got a good car you feel comfortable in your environment and can push yourself to the limit.
"I'm happy we have good performances and just want to keep that going," he said.
"We know there is a long way to go this year. The final races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi are a long way away, and we have to do well in all the races."
Abu Dhabi might well seem a long way away right now, but the Yas Marina race has created a buzz among the drivers.
Barrichello feels the F1 move towards new places is refreshing. "It will be a pleasure to be there. I visited Abu Dhabi two years ago for an FIA party and I liked it very much," he added.
"It's always exciting to go to a new places. From the pictures I have seen, the Abu Dhabi circuit looks fantastic.
"I like the track in Melbourne where it is a road circuit, but safe with quite fast corners.
"I hope we have the same thing in Abu Dhabi. I think it's important to go to new places like this. The Middle East is a place to be discovered and exciting for the drivers.
"I hope I'm part of more new places in the future, absolutely."
@Email:akhan@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.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
ARGYLLE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The permutations for UAE going to the 2018 World Cup finals
To qualify automatically
UAE must beat Iraq.
Australia must lose in Japan and at home to Thailand, with their losing margins and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
To finish third and go into a play-off with the other third-placed AFC side for a chance to reach the inter-confederation play-off match
UAE must beat Iraq.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
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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.
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Biography
Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
