Felipe Massa says he accepts the FIA's decision that cleared future Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso of any wrongdoing or knowledge of Nelson Piquet Jr's crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Felipe Massa says he accepts the FIA's decision that cleared future Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso of any wrongdoing or knowledge of Nelson Piquet Jr's crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Felipe Massa says he accepts the FIA's decision that cleared future Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso of any wrongdoing or knowledge of Nelson Piquet Jr's crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Felipe Massa says he accepts the FIA's decision that cleared future Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso of any wrongdoing or knowledge of Nelson Piquet Jr's crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

Massa backtracks after criticising Alonso


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SAO PAULO // Felipe Massa backtracked from his comments that future Ferrari teammate Fernando Alonso knew Nelson Piquet Jr was going to crash on purpose at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to help the Spaniard win the race, something Alonso has strenuously denied. After telling Brazilian media on Wednesday that "without a doubt" Alonso knew of Renault's plan to have Piquet Jr crash, Massa issued a statement on Ferrari's official website saying that what he said was "the outcome of a hunch" and was not "based on any concrete evidence."

"The FIA (International Automobile Federation) World Council announced that there was no indication that Fernando may have been informed of what had happened and I respect this outcome," Massa said. The Brazilian driver, who is out for the remainder of the season as he recovers from a serious injury suffered at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, has long complained of the incident involving Piquet Jr in Singapore.

He had said before that he believed Alonso was aware that his Renault teammate was going to crash to bring out the safety car and help him win the race. Massa had said "there is no way" Alonso did not know Piquet Jr was going to crash to benefit him, and that the FIA should strip Alonso of the win. He has also said he believes the result directly affected his own chances of claiming the drivers' championship, eventually won by Briton Lewis Hamilton by a single point ? ahead of Massa.

Alonso and Piquet Jr were cleared after an FIA investigation, but Renault's team principal Flavio Briatore received an indefinite ban and chief engineer Pat Symonds a five-year sanction for their role in the deliberate crash. "Obviously I'm very disappointed about what transpired last year in Singapore," Massa said. "I have already said several times what I thought about it and now it's time to close that chapter and to look to the future."

Ferrari signed double world champion Alonso to a three-year deal beginning next season. He will replace Kimi Raikkonen. "What is certain is that this episode will not mar in any way the relationship I'll have with Fernando when we will be teammates," Massa said. * AP

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

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Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
EA Sports FC 24
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km

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Results
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Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34

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