Ahead of the start of the Formula One season in Australia on Sunday, here is a look at five of the drivers on the grid to watch out for over the coming 20 races.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Verstappen may be only 19, but this is his third full season in F1. The Dutch teenager had a great 2016 when he was promoted to Red Bull Racing mid-season and won his first race in Spain. The frightening thing for the rest of the grid is that he should be even quicker this year, being more experienced and having had a full pre-season with Red Bull, which he did not have last year. His inter-team duel with Daniel Ricciardo will be one of the highlights of the season.
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
You did not have to be a body language expert to see the German was not happy with life last season as Ferrari struggled. But the Italian team have looked strong in testing, and if that speed is genuine, then the four-time world champion should be in the mix for a tilt at a fifth title, and Ferrari’s first drivers’ title since 2007.
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
The Finn has big shoes to fill at Mercedes-GP as he replaces the retired world champion Nico Rosberg. Botta impressed during four years at Williams without ever having a real standout result, but now he has his first realistic chance to win races. He will, however, have the daunting prospect of triple world champion Lewis Hamilton as his teammate to deal with.
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
It was November 2010 when the German wowed F1 by taking pole in Brazil in his rookie season with Williams. Wind the clock forward to now and 115 races later, and Hulkenberg is still to finish on the podium or live up to his considerable potential. After three years at Force India, the move to a manufacturer team in Renault could give him a new lease of life and allow him to finally get a top-three result.
Lance Stroll (Williams)
The second teenager on the grid, the Canadian, 18, races for Williams after dominating European Formula 3. He had a rough time in testing in Barcelona as he had a number of spins. Stroll, who partners Felipe Massa, will need to adapt quickly to the challenges and demands of F1, and will need a good early result to settle his nerves.
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Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Rasi, Harry Bentley (jockey), Sulaiman Al Ghunaimi (trainer).
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m; Winner: Ya Hayati, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Bochart, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Magic Lily, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Eynhallow, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.
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COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
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Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
HAJJAN
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
PRISCILLA
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