You didn't have to look at the Yas Marina Circuit track to know the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix was heating up in the hours leading up to Sunday's final race.
Signs that the event's high point was nearing could be seen in the sky, with helicopters, carrying celebrities and dignitaries, landing frequently at the entrance of the exclusive Paddock Club.
This was in addition to the F1’s official “TV helicopter” emitting a constant buzz as it careened around the circuit capturing footage for a global audience.
Another sign that things were officially near boiling point was the groups of people crowding around the track's paddocks as they waited for their F1 heroes to enter their respective garages.
Standing amid one of these congregations outside the Red Bull section was Francesca Allen. While wearing the signature red top of the Ferrari team, she was more than happy to wait around for a glimpse of this year’s champion, Max Verstappen.
An avid F1 fan, she flew in from London on Wednesday to experience the Abu Dhabi GP. “I went to races in Imola (San Marino), Spa (Belgium) and Silverstone (UK) and I can definitely say the Abu Dhabi one has its own atmosphere,” she tells The National.
“It is very international, so you find a lot of drivers being supported, which is nice to see. This is different than in other places where there are definitely one or two drivers being supported by a home crowd.”
Allen describes Abu Dhabi as representing the new modern face of Formula One.
“A lot of the other locations, such as Silverstone for example, come with this long and amazing tradition, which I think is great,” she says.
“But with Abu Dhabi it just feels fresh because there is all the great food, restaurants and concerts every night. Also the fact the layout is quite easy to navigate makes it fun for anyone to experience.”
Our conversation was cut short with the sight of Verstappen making his way to the garage, only slowing down to allow the waiting crowd to take photos of a champion at work.
Further up the paddock, another crowd circled a flamboyant figure clad in a white suit and orange glasses.
It took me a while to realise who he was because I am used to seeing him in red: former Manchester United footballer Patrice Evra. Speaking to The National, he explained that he was on the circuit to take a victory lap of his own.
“I just signed an agreement to create my own content company in Abu Dhabi,” he says. “I feel very excited because this feels like a new chapter for me and to do it here in the UAE, which has been my home for two years, is what makes it special.”
The UAE’s event landscape has evolved rapidly, says Evra. “If we look at Formula One here in Abu Dhabi, we are not just talking about sports,” he says. “There are people from all walks of life and business people. This is because you feel very welcome here and it's one of the safest places in the world. These thing make a huge difference.”
This is a sentiment echoed by Dominic Vesely and Joseph Gattermier, self-described “tech heads,” who work for a cryptocurrency company in the Czech Republic.
According to the duo, the Abu Dhabi F1 is home to a large gathering of the industry’s movers and shakers.
“Everyone that you need to meet from the crypto world is here this weekend in Abu Dhabi,” Vesely says. “So, it was worth it for us to make the investment, come here and have those meetings, while enjoying the atmosphere of the race at the same time.”
Not everyone was here for the schmoozing though. Diehard F1 fans were out in full force in the paddock.
Moko, the Senegalese fan famous for not having missed a single Formula One race since in 1979, was spotted chatting with friends and officials. Also present was Black Eyed Peas rapper Will.i.am taking a pit lane walk.
Meanwhile, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s physiotherapist and confidante Angela Cullen was swamped by fans eager to take a snap of the New Zealander, who some fans have dubbed as the “Lewis whisperer”.
And just as they quickly gathered throughout the day, the crowds dispersed to their suites and stadium seats in the minutes leading to the 5pm race.
One of the last to head into the Paddock Club was Evra, who seemingly never tired of posing for selfies or sharing his thoughts on England’s chances at the World Cup (“They will do very well,”) beginning later in the day. “I just feel blessed man,” he tells me.
“I am here meeting new people and having a great time. It feels amazing to be in a city where everyone wants the best for everyone.”
The drivers parade at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix — in pictures
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: CVT
Power: 170bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Price: Dh98,900
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Honeymoonish
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Results
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Reem Baynounah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Afham, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Haqeeqy, Dane O’Neill, John Hyde.
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
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
Captain Marvel
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
List of UAE medal winners
Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)
Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)
Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)
