Lewis Hamilton drives his Mercedes-GP car and Sebastian Vettel his Ferrari in Mexico. Hamilton is drivers' champion for 2018 but the constructors' championship can still be won by either of the two manufacturers. Reuters
Lewis Hamilton drives his Mercedes-GP car and Sebastian Vettel his Ferrari in Mexico. Hamilton is drivers' champion for 2018 but the constructors' championship can still be won by either of the two manufacturers. Reuters
Lewis Hamilton drives his Mercedes-GP car and Sebastian Vettel his Ferrari in Mexico. Hamilton is drivers' champion for 2018 but the constructors' championship can still be won by either of the two manufacturers. Reuters
Lewis Hamilton drives his Mercedes-GP car and Sebastian Vettel his Ferrari in Mexico. Hamilton is drivers' champion for 2018 but the constructors' championship can still be won by either of the two ma

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2018: What's at stake for the Formula One season finale at Yas Marina Circuit


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Lewis Hamilton is world champion for a fifth time and Mercedes-GP have wrapped up the constructors' title. The main championships may already be won but there is still plenty at stake, and to be achieved, at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 25, the final round of the season.

Hamilton goes for win No 11

It has been another superlative year from the Briton and he can finish things off in style in the UAE.

If Hamilton wins in Abu Dhabi for a fourth time it will give him a 11th triumph in 2018, which would equal his most successful season in the sport in terms of victories.

Given his team Mercedes-GP, who are already constructors' champions, have won the race the past four years, the chances of Hamilton being up there fighting at the front in the 55-lap race are high.

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Ferrari's best chance at Abu Dhabi success

Given they are the most successful team in the history of the sport, it is a surprise that Ferrari have never crossed the line first in Abu Dhabi.

Second-place finishes for Fernando Alonso in 2011 and 2012 are as close as the famous Italian have come in the past.

Given Ferrari have had their best year since 2008 in terms of race victories, they have six to their name so far, they have a decent chance of making it No 7 in Abu Dhabi and ending their winless run at the venue.

The two long straights that make up the second section of the 5.5km track should suit Ferrari's powerful engine, meaning Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen should be right up there in both qualifying and the race.

This has been Ferrari's strongest campaign, in terms of raw pace, and they have a real chance of finally get their name on the winners' trophy for both driver and constructor in Abu Dhabi.

Third spot in the drivers’ standings

Hamilton is champion and Vettel is already guaranteed second spot.

But third place is up for grabs. Not the prize a driver strives for, but pride is at stake, and the fact the racer who finishes in that position will get a spot at the FIA's end of season awards gala where they will receive a trophy.

Raikkonen looks the most likely to take the spot. He has a 14-point lead over Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas and 17 on Max Verstappen.

Both Bottas and Verstappen need to finish at least second in Abu Dhabi to have any chance of usurping the 2007 world champion.

Win drought for Bottas

Hamilton, as well as wrapping up the title early, has also dominated the wins tally at Mercedes.

He has nine to his name while teammate Bottas is on zero and in danger of being the first Mercedes driver since Michael Schumacher in 2012 to not win a race in a season.

His last win was last November in Abu Dhabi and he desperately needs a bright end to the year with his drive with the team in doubt beyond the end of 2019 when his contract expires.

The fight for fourth 

The season has been dominated by Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull but the other seven teams have fought over what is effectively best of the rest - the Class B title - as it has been often called - is still at stake.

Renault are favourites to take the position, currently holding fourth with a 24-point lead over Haas.

Barring some freak results it should be the French manufacturer who leave Abu Dhabi in the position and claim the extra prize money.

Saying goodbye

As things stand only Mercedes and Haas are keeping their driver line-ups unchanged for 2019, so there will be plenty of farewells in Abu Dhabi.

The big one is Fernado Alonso’s last race for McLaren. The double world champion is leaving the sport and Yas Marina Circuit will be the site of the last time he will turn the wheel of a F1 car in a competitive environment.

Another world champion moving is Raikkonen who heads to Sauber next year from Ferrari. The Finn goes well in Abu Dhabi, having won in 2012 with Lotus, and he will look to sign off his second and final spell with his current employers in style.

Daniel Ricciardo, who has won seven times with Red Bull over the past five years, leaves the Austrian team after Abu Dhabi for Renault.

Match info

Manchester United 4
(Pogba 5', 33', Rashford 45', Lukaku 72')

Bournemouth 1
(Ake 45 2')

Red card: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now

'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

Dubai World Cup nominations

UAE: Thunder Snow/Saeed bin Suroor (trainer), North America/Satish Seemar, Drafted/Doug Watson, New Trails/Ahmad bin Harmash, Capezzano, Gronkowski, Axelrod, all trained by Salem bin Ghadayer

USA: Seeking The Soul/Dallas Stewart, Imperial Hunt/Luis Carvajal Jr, Audible/Todd Pletcher, Roy H/Peter Miller, Yoshida/William Mott, Promises Fulfilled/Dale Romans, Gunnevera/Antonio Sano, XY Jet/Jorge Navarro, Pavel/Doug O’Neill, Switzerland/Steve Asmussen.

Japan: Matera Sky/Hideyuki Mori, KT Brace/Haruki Sugiyama. Bahrain: Nine Below Zero/Fawzi Nass. Ireland: Tato Key/David Marnane. Hong Kong: Fight Hero/Me Tsui. South Korea: Dolkong/Simon Foster.

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

RESULT

Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay:
 Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')

Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)