Mark Webber, in action last month at the Malaysian  Grand Prix, says his Red Bull team have to be more consistent. Paul Gilham.
Mark Webber, in action last month at the Malaysian Grand Prix, says his Red Bull team have to be more consistent. Paul Gilham.

Webber gears up for chase



Mark Webber is determined to kick start his bid for Formula One glory this weekend. Other than one pole position in Malaysia, where he finished second to Sebastian Vettel, his Red Bull-Renault teammate, Webber has struggled to make his mark this season. The same can be said for the team as a whole as Vettel and Webber have had the most powerful car, yet failed to make their supremacy count.

Vettel is 15 points behind Jenson Button, championship leader, with Webber 32 adrift, while the Milton Keynes-based team are 36 points off the pace of McLaren-Mercedes in the constructors' standings. Webber knows he and the team have to improve in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Asked why the team had so far failed to excel, the Australian replied: "Consistency is the big thing, and that comes with executing clean Sunday afternoons.

"You could write a dossier of where things could be improved, but then so could Ferrari. "There is not one team that has come away from the first four races and said 'Yes, we've left nothing on the table'. "Every team has, and we have, and we are looking to address them as quickly as we can." As for Webber personally, now is the time he has to get his act together if he is going to challenge for the crown.

He has been on the podium only once in the four races to date, but is confident that a run of good results will see him move back up the standings and back into title contention. "We know the points system fluctuates very, very fast, so it can take one weekend," said Webber. "The middle part of the championship last year for me was very, very good, and that is what I am looking to do again, but with a different result at the end.

"I want to keep going and keep finishing." It is that fluctuating championship that has so far resulted in a different leader at the end of the last three races and why Webber feels no team or driver will break away as Brawn GP and Button did last year. "I think it will be pretty tight between all the teams," added Webber. "It is going to be who is doing the most consistent job, but for a team to break away, and of course I hope it is us, it is not going to be easy."

Meanwhile, Button is confident that he can extend his 10-point lead at the top of the title standings in Barcelona. "It is a race I won last year, and I regard it as one of my best victories of the 2009 season," said the world champion. "It's a relatively high-speed circuit, one that's quite enjoyable to drive, provided your car is working properly. "There are some fast corners, but the majority of the track is made up of pretty long corners where you really need the car to do all the work.

"It's a circuit that rewards precision, and punishes aggression, and if you've a car that wants to under-steer, then you're going to have a difficult race. "Fortunately, our car does seem to have a very good neutral balance in the high-speed corners, which is probably the most impressive aspect of the car. "We also went well there during pre-season testing, so I think we go into this weekend feeling pretty well prepared."

* PA

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')

Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')

Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Specs: 2024 McLaren Artura Spider

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and electric motor
Max power: 700hp at 7,500rpm
Max torque: 720Nm at 2,250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100km/h: 3.0sec
Top speed: 330kph
Price: From Dh1.14 million ($311,000)
On sale: Now

The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):

British group

Coldplay

Foals

Bring me the Horizon

D-Block Europe

Bastille

British Female

Mabel

Freya Ridings

FKA Twigs

Charli xcx

Mahalia​

British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Michael Kiwanuka

Stormzy​

Best new artist

Aitch

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Sam Fender

Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

Dave - Location

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved

Tom Walker - Just You and I

Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger

Stormzy - Vossi Bop

International female

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Lana Del Rey

Lizzo

International male

Bruce Springsteen

Burna Boy

Tyler, The Creator

Dermot Kennedy

Post Malone

Best album

Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent

Dave - Psychodrama

Harry Styles - Fine Line

Rising star

Celeste

Joy Crookes

beabadoobee

Company profile

Name: Infinite8

Based: Dubai

Launch year: 2017

Number of employees: 90

Sector: Online gaming industry

Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor

If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.

 

COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Revibe
Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
Based: UAE
Industry: Refurbished electronics
Funds raised so far: $10m
Investors: Flat6Labs, Resonance and various others

Healthy tips to remember

Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:

Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast

Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits

Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day

Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.

Afro salons

For women:
Sisu Hair Salon, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Boho Salon, Al Barsha South, Dubai
Moonlight, Al Falah Street, Abu Dhabi
For men:
MK Barbershop, Dar Al Wasl Mall, Dubai
Regency Saloon, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi
Uptown Barbershop, Al Nasseriya, Sharjah

The Roundup

Director: Lee Sang-yong
Stars: Ma Dong-seok, Sukku Son, Choi Gwi-hwa
Rating: 4/5