The new grandstand at Yas Marina Circuit. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit
The new grandstand at Yas Marina Circuit. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit
The new grandstand at Yas Marina Circuit. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit
The new grandstand at Yas Marina Circuit. Photo: Yas Marina Circuit

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F1

Grandstand tickets for 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix sell out in record time

Abu Dhabi Hill tickets for final race of Formula One season also snapped up, but hospitality packages are still available

The National

September 14, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Unprecedented demand for tickets of the 2022 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has resulted in all grandstand and Abu Dhabi Hill tickets getting sold out, organisers announced.

All grandstands at Yas Marina Circuit – including the all-new stand added along the North Straight for this year’s race – have been fully sold out with more than two months to go for the season-ending finale.

Demand for the Abu Dhabi GP tickets grew after the spectacular finish to the season last year, where Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched his first world championship after a one-lap race to the title in the final stretch, snatching the title from the gasp of Lewis Hamilton.

Following the announcement, Saif Al Noaimi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, said: “It is with immense pride to announce today that all grandstand and Abu Dhabi Hill tickets for this year’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix have officially sold out, and it is a true testament to the passion that Formula 1 fans feel for this global event.

“To cater for the unprecedented demand for this year’s race, we added a brand-new stand along our incredible North Straight section, which has additionally sold out at a record pace and this demand reflects the level of growth of motorsports we are seeing in the region.

"We understand that some may not be able to secure their seat at this year’s race, and as a result, we are already planning for tickets for next year’s race to go on sale earlier than ever before to ensure our fans can book their spot early to enjoy the unreal thrills of an Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.”

  • Race winner and 2021 F1 world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Racing team celebrate on the podium after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021. Victor Besa / The National
    Race winner and 2021 F1 world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Racing team celebrate on the podium after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021. Victor Besa / The National
  • Verstappen fought off Lewis Hamilton in a nail-biting finish. Victor Besa / The National
    Verstappen fought off Lewis Hamilton in a nail-biting finish. Victor Besa / The National
  • Verstappen runs to celebrate with his team. Victor Besa / The National
    Verstappen runs to celebrate with his team. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Dutch driver clinched the race and the championship on the final lap. Victor Besa / The National
    The Dutch driver clinched the race and the championship on the final lap. Victor Besa / The National
  • Race fans cheer as Verstappen wins. Victor Besa / The National
    Race fans cheer as Verstappen wins. Victor Besa / The National
  • Verstappen enjoys that winning feeling. Reuters
    Verstappen enjoys that winning feeling. Reuters
  • Verstappen drinks in the moment as Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton looks dejected after finishing second. Reuters
    Verstappen drinks in the moment as Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton looks dejected after finishing second. Reuters
  • Verstappen and Hamilton go head to head on the track. Victor Besa / The National
    Verstappen and Hamilton go head to head on the track. Victor Besa / The National
  • An Etihad Airways flyover before the race. The airline sponsored the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National
    An Etihad Airways flyover before the race. The airline sponsored the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National
  • Verstappen in action. Victor Besa / The National
    Verstappen in action. Victor Besa / The National
  • Hamilton took an early lead. Victor Besa / The National
    Hamilton took an early lead. Victor Besa / The National
  • Verstappen and Hamilton led the championship going into the final race. Victor Besa / The National
    Verstappen and Hamilton led the championship going into the final race. Victor Besa / The National
  • The start of the race. Reuters
    The start of the race. Reuters
  • Drivers pose for their end-of-season picture before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. AP
    Drivers pose for their end-of-season picture before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. AP
  • Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel before the race. Reuters
    Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel before the race. Reuters
  • Fans of Verstappen and Hamilton before the race. Reuters
    Fans of Verstappen and Hamilton before the race. Reuters
  • Hamilton looks relaxed before the race. Reuters
    Hamilton looks relaxed before the race. Reuters
  • Verstappen looks like he means business. Reuters
    Verstappen looks like he means business. Reuters
  • Hamilton soaks up the early atmosphere. Victor Besa / The National
    Hamilton soaks up the early atmosphere. Victor Besa / The National
  • Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas with his girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell. Victor Besa / The National
    Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas with his girlfriend Tiffany Cromwell. Victor Besa / The National
  • Verstappen arrives at the circuit with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet. Reuters
    Verstappen arrives at the circuit with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet. Reuters
  • Hamilton on the Yas Marina Circuit. AFP
    Hamilton on the Yas Marina Circuit. AFP

Fans still eager to secure their place at the final race of the season can look at the hospitality packages still on sale. Motorsport enthusiasts can enjoy the race from the Luna Lounge, Turns at West, North Straight, Deck at Nine and even Shams Suite hospitality locations.

Hospitality ticket holders will not only receive passes for all three days of the race at Yas Marina Circuit, but also for each of the four Yasalam After-Race concerts at Etihad Park. With limited spaces available, fans can find more information by visiting www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/formula1

Organisers have already confirmed two artists for an entertaining weekend at Yas, with DJ group Swedish House Mafia and rapper Kendrick Lamar heading to the capital to headline the Friday and Saturday After-Race concerts.

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  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Bio

Age: 25

Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah

Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering

Favourite colour: White

Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai

Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.

First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.

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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 

%3Cp%3EThe%20Department%20of%20Culture%20and%20Tourism%20-%20Abu%20Dhabi%E2%80%99s%20Arabic%20Language%20Centre%20will%20mark%20International%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Day%20at%20the%20Bologna%20Children's%20Book%20Fair%20with%20the%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Translation%20Conference.%20Prolific%20Emirati%20author%20Noora%20Al%20Shammari%2C%20who%20has%20written%20eight%20books%20that%20%20feature%20in%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Education's%20curriculum%2C%20will%20appear%20in%20a%20session%20on%20Wednesday%20to%20discuss%20the%20challenges%20women%20face%20in%20getting%20their%20works%20translated.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
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  • Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
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A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

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Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder

Power: 220 and 280 horsepower

Torque: 350 and 360Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT 

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The Orwell Prize for Political Writing

Twelve books were longlisted for The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The non-fiction works cover various themes from education, gender bias, and the environment to surveillance and political power. Some of the books that made it to the non-fiction longlist include: 

  • Appeasing Hitler: Chamberlain, Churchill and the Road to War by Tim Bouverie
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  • Follow Me, Akhi: The Online World of British Muslims by Hussein Kesvani
  • Guest House for Young Widows: Among the Women of ISIS by Azadeh Moaveni
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. 

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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.

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Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

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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. 

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2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

Why seagrass matters
  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
  • Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
  • Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
  • Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)

Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)

Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)

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