ABU DHABI // The first Formula One cars took to the track at the Yas Marina Circuit yesterday, marking the capital's arrival on the world motor racing scene.
While the serious racing will not take place until today's qualifiers, the first practice session in the heat of Yas Island yesterday afternoon provided an opportunity for the 20 drivers to acquaint themselves with the newest kid on the F1 block.
It was more of a success for some than others. The 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton, for example, showed a deft awareness of the demands of the circuit while his McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen recorded the quickest lap of the day, 1 minute, 41.307 seconds, in the final minutes of the evening session at the 5.55km track.
For many fans, it was their first opportunity to see F1 cars in action. Many described the experience as an enthralling attack on the senses.
"It is overwhelming," said Jerry Aguinaldo, 42, a Filipino electrical inspector from Abu Dhabi who was given a ticket by his boss after working on the nearby Ferrari World project. "This is my chance, a once-in-a-lifetime thing."
More than 15,000 fans attended the final practice session, with crowds expected to grow today.
After the second practice session, Christian Horner, the principal of the Red Bull team, said: "It is unbelievable, really. The bar has been raised. It is incredible what the country has done to build such a venue as this."
With the expected increase in crowds over the rest of the weekend, police yesterday advised fans to arrive at the venue in ample time. They said fans should arrive at the circuit tomorrow by 2pm.
A final hour-long practice session begins at 2pm today and represents the last opportunity for drivers to familiarise themselves with the circuit's demands before the serious business starts. Qualifying under the floodlights at 5pm will decide who will be on pole for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tomorrow evening.
Qualifying tonight will be followed by a concert by the American band Kings of Leon.
rhughes@thenational.ae
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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)
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The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
