• Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with second placed Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the background, on Sunday, December 5, 2021. AP
    Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with second placed Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the background, on Sunday, December 5, 2021. AP
  • Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton compete in the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, December 5. AFP
    Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton compete in the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, December 5. AFP
  • Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton tussle for the lead. Getty
    Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton tussle for the lead. Getty
  • Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton compete for the lead. AP
    Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton compete for the lead. AP
  • Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton during the race. Getty
    Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton during the race. Getty
  • Drivers take the start of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on December 5, 2021. AFP
    Drivers take the start of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on December 5, 2021. AFP
  • Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton leads at the start of the race. AFP
    Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton leads at the start of the race. AFP
  • Jets release smoke as they perform an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP
    Jets release smoke as they perform an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP
  • Jets release smoke as they perform an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP
    Jets release smoke as they perform an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP
  • A jets performs during an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP
    A jets performs during an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP
  • Jets perform an air display over the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. AFP
    Jets perform an air display over the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. AFP
  • Jets perform an air display over the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. AFP
    Jets perform an air display over the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. AFP
  • Drivers and team members pay tribute to the late founder and former team principal of Williams Racing, Frank Williams who died a week before the race. AFP
    Drivers and team members pay tribute to the late founder and former team principal of Williams Racing, Frank Williams who died a week before the race. AFP
  • Lewis Hamilton looks at the trophy prior to the start of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. AP
    Lewis Hamilton looks at the trophy prior to the start of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. AP
  • Red Bull's Max Verstappen before the race. Reuters
    Red Bull's Max Verstappen before the race. Reuters
  • Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr before the race. Reuters
    Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr before the race. Reuters
  • Drivers stand and take a knee on the starting grid prior to the race. AFP
    Drivers stand and take a knee on the starting grid prior to the race. AFP
  • Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. AFP
    Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. AFP
  • Drivers race during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Street Circuit. AP
    Drivers race during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Street Circuit. AP
  • Mechanics work on the car of McLaren driver Lando Norris in the pits. AFP
    Mechanics work on the car of McLaren driver Lando Norris in the pits. AFP
  • Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly during the race. AFP
    Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly during the race. AFP
  • Mick Schumacher's Haas after crashing. Getty
    Mick Schumacher's Haas after crashing. Getty
  • Haas driver Mick Schumacher after crashing. Getty
    Haas driver Mick Schumacher after crashing. Getty
  • Alpine driver Esteban Ocon competes in the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. AFP
    Alpine driver Esteban Ocon competes in the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. AFP
  • Race marshals remove the car of Williams driver George Russell after a crash. AFP
    Race marshals remove the car of Williams driver George Russell after a crash. AFP
  • A race marshal assists Haas driver Mick Schumacher after his crash. AFP
    A race marshal assists Haas driver Mick Schumacher after his crash. AFP
  • Red Bull driver Max Verstappen speaks with team members during a second stop in the race. AFP
    Red Bull driver Max Verstappen speaks with team members during a second stop in the race. AFP
  • Lewis Hamilton speaks with team members during a second stop in the race. AFP
    Lewis Hamilton speaks with team members during a second stop in the race. AFP
  • Red Bull driver Sergio Perez leaves his car after a collision. AFP
    Red Bull driver Sergio Perez leaves his car after a collision. AFP
  • Sergio Perez after crashing. AFP
    Sergio Perez after crashing. AFP

Hamilton and Verstappen go to Abu Dhabi after respectful rivalry turns into bitter battle


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And so to Abu Dhabi and the finale of an extraordinary rivalry. The irresistible force meets the immoveable rock. Max Verstappen against Lewis Hamilton. The heir apparent versus the king. You can cut it a thousand ways.

Nine months after it all began, just an hour's flight from here, the duo arrive on Yas Island, the extraordinary jewel of the Middle Eastern motor sporting world, with honours even.

In between there have been 21 Grands Prix across four continents. Fortunes have waxed and waned.

In May, Hamilton led by 14 points. Five races later, Verstappen was up 32 as Hamilton suffered the biggest slump of his career.

The man who was used to winning as he pleased couldn’t buy one. Crashing Verstappen out of the lead at Silverstone was the only way to hit the front.

I have no doubt Hamilton knew what he was doing that day every bit as much as the young Dutchman has been kicking himself ever since for allowing it to happen.

But Verstappen was doing what champions do. What we’ve seen Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher do. We've seen Hamilton himself do it.

That wasn’t where this season started spinning out of control. It happened when Hamilton leapt up and down with joy on the podium as his rival watched from his hospital bed after a 52G impact he was lucky to survive.

It happened when Hamilton was asked about his rival’s ruthless racing tactics and his reply was pretty much along the lines of ‘if you play with fire you are going to get burnt’.

Well, that cut both ways. Four races later, Hamilton was trapped in his cockpit, Verstappen’s Red Bull resting just above his helmet.

Respectful rivalry turned into a bitter battle with no quarter given.

Mercedes are plugging a narrative Hamilton is the deserving champion, who deals in the finer aspects of fair racing and Verstappen the bludgeoning, brutal, primeval wannabe braking all the rules.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - past winners

  • ABU DHABI PODIUM: 2024: 1) Lando Norris (McLaren) 2) Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). Chris Whiteoak / The National
    ABU DHABI PODIUM: 2024: 1) Lando Norris (McLaren) 2) Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Lando Norris sealed his first ever victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Lando Norris sealed his first ever victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • 2023: 1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 3) George Russell (Mercedes). Getty Images
    2023: 1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 3) George Russell (Mercedes). Getty Images
  • Max Verstappen secured a fourth consecutive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win in 2023. Victor Besa / The National
    Max Verstappen secured a fourth consecutive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win in 2023. Victor Besa / The National
  • 2022: 1). Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 3) Sergio Perez (Redd Bull). Getty Images
    2022: 1). Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 3) Sergio Perez (Redd Bull). Getty Images
  • Max Verstappen on his way to a third Abu Dhabi GP victory in a row in 2022. Getty Images
    Max Verstappen on his way to a third Abu Dhabi GP victory in a row in 2022. Getty Images
  • 2021: 1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 3) Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari). Reuters
    2021: 1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 3) Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari). Reuters
  • Max Verstappen on his way to victory in the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP that saw the Dutchman edge out Lewis Hamilton for the title at Yas Marina Circuit. EPA
    Max Verstappen on his way to victory in the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP that saw the Dutchman edge out Lewis Hamilton for the title at Yas Marina Circuit. EPA
  • 2020: 1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2) Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 3) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). Getty
    2020: 1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2) Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 3) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). Getty
  • Dutch driver Max Verstappen on his way to victory at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 13, 2020. AFP
    Dutch driver Max Verstappen on his way to victory at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 13, 2020. AFP
  • 2019: 1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). Getty
    2019: 1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). Getty
  • British driver Lewis Hamilton crosses the finish line to win the Abu Dhabi GP on December 1, 2019. AP
    British driver Lewis Hamilton crosses the finish line to win the Abu Dhabi GP on December 1, 2019. AP
  • 2018: 1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 3) Max Verstappen (Red Bull). Reuters
    2018: 1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 3) Max Verstappen (Red Bull). Reuters
  • British driver Lewis Hamilton on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25, 2018. EPA
    British driver Lewis Hamilton on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25, 2018. EPA
  • 2017: 1) Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 3) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari). Getty
    2017: 1) Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 3) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari). Getty
  • Valtteri Bottas of Finland on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 26, 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
    Valtteri Bottas of Finland on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 26, 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 2016: 1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 3) Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari). AFP
    2016: 1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 3) Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari). AFP
  • Lewis Hamilton wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 27, 2016. AFP Photo
    Lewis Hamilton wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 27, 2016. AFP Photo
  • 2015: 1) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 2) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 3) Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari).
    2015: 1) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 2) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 3) Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari).
  • German driver Nico Rosberg on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 29, 2015. Christopher Pike / The National
    German driver Nico Rosberg on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 29, 2015. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 2014: 1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Felipe Massa (Williams) 3) Valtteri Bottas (Williams). Christopher Pike / The National
    2014: 1) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2) Felipe Massa (Williams) 3) Valtteri Bottas (Williams). Christopher Pike / The National
  • British driver Lewis Hamilton races to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2014. Christopher Pike / The National
    British driver Lewis Hamilton races to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2014. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 2013: 1) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 2) Mark Webber (Red Bull) 3) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes).
    2013: 1) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 2) Mark Webber (Red Bull) 3) Nico Rosberg (Mercedes).
  • German driver Sebastian Vettel on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 3, 2013. Christopher Pike / The National
    German driver Sebastian Vettel on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 3, 2013. Christopher Pike / The National
  • 2012) 1) Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) 2) Fernado Alonso (Ferrari) 3) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). Reuters
    2012) 1) Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) 2) Fernado Alonso (Ferrari) 3) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). Reuters
  • Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen leads the field on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 4, 2012. Reuters
    Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen leads the field on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 4, 2012. Reuters
  • 2011: 1) Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 2) Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 3) Jenson Button (McLaren) Pawan Singh / The National
    2011: 1) Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 2) Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) 3) Jenson Button (McLaren) Pawan Singh / The National
  • British driver Lewis Hamilton wins at Yas Marina Circuit on November 13, 2011. Pawan Singh / The National
    British driver Lewis Hamilton wins at Yas Marina Circuit on November 13, 2011. Pawan Singh / The National
  • 2010: 1) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 2) Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 3) Jenson Button (McLaren). Andrew Henderson / The National
    2010: 1) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 2) Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 3) Jenson Button (McLaren). Andrew Henderson / The National
  • German driver Sebastian Vettel on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 14, 2010. Andrew Henderson / The National
    German driver Sebastian Vettel on his way to victory at Yas Marina Circuit on November 14, 2010. Andrew Henderson / The National
  • 2009: 1) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 2) Mark Webber (Red Bull) 3) Jenson Button (Brawn). Stephen Lock / The National
    2009: 1) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) 2) Mark Webber (Red Bull) 3) Jenson Button (Brawn). Stephen Lock / The National
  • German driver Sebastian Vettel on his way to victory in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1, 2009. Stephen Lock / The National
    German driver Sebastian Vettel on his way to victory in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1, 2009. Stephen Lock / The National

Jacques Villeneuve, who became champion in 1997 when Schumacher was kicked out of the championship for just such antics, has an interesting take on it all.

“They all play these little tricks,” he said. “When Lewis does them, he does them in a way that there's always the doubt whether he did it on purpose or not. It was the same against [Nico] Rosberg. When Rosberg did it, he got caught out and it looked dirty.

“When Lewis was doing it was ‘he didn't do it on purpose, it's clean’. And he's a master of that and he's amazing at that, of course.”

Villeneuve believes Hamilton deliberately drove into the back of Verstappen in Saudi and is playing dumb. The Canadian is just one voice and it’s not as if the Dutchman is entirely innocent on that score.

That swingeing punishment for Schumacher in 1997 was a big wake up call for the entire grid but has long since been forgotten.

The sport’s rulers at the time, race director Charlie Whiting, Max Mosley, and Bernie Ecclestone, were more than happy to wave the big stick even at the biggest names if they didn’t play by their rules.

Mosley and Ecclestone are gone and Whiting sadly died on the eve of the 2019 season.

The sport’s current owners, Liberty Media, and the new sporting director, Michael Masi, have a lighter touch. They do more by negotiation and compromise but aren’t sporting rules black and white absolutes?

After an epic season and signs of radical improvements for 2022, some would argue they are slowly getting it right. But in the absence of a firm (and strict) hand on the tiller, teams and drivers have adopted a ’shoot now ask questions later’ approach to see what they can get away with.

And the drivers themselves are so confused over the rules of combat, a meeting of the entire grid with Masi in Qatar stretched on for 90 minutes. The best drivers in the world spent over an hour discussing one of the most basic aspects of the sport and two races later appear non-the-wiser.

Verstappen himself complained he was punished in Saudi for doing something that was allowed in Brazil. And why was he the only one to suffer, he asked, when Hamilton had gone off too?

Of course, the referee can never win but he needs to bring confidence and consistency if nothing else. Athletes should never be in doubt about the rules of engagement. Especially not when driving 300kph.

That said, some of the best seasons in F1 history have ended in the wall amid splintered Kevlar and carbon fibre. But it would be a crying shame if such a stellar season was decided by stewards and lawyers rather than the two racing drivers.

It’s the titanic battle that neither side deserves to lose, yet someone has to.

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

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GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

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CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES

Mar 10: Norwich(A)

Mar 13: Newcastle(H)

Mar 16: Lille(A)

Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)

Apr 2: Brentford(H)

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Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.

The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.

All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.

No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.

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.”

RESULTS
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

Related
If you go

 

  • The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
  • The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
  • The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as  Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
Profile of Tamatem

Date started: March 2013

Founder: Hussam Hammo

Based: Amman, Jordan

Employees: 55

Funding: $6m

Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Updated: December 08, 2021, 5:21 AM