Gary Meenaghan and Graham Caygill note the news from the Grand Prix weekend including: Jenson Button is worried that he might have to lose his Movember moustache, the Premier League is represented by Man City and QPR and there is delight for Yas chief Richard Cregan.
'Tache talk
Jenson Button's moustache, which has been the talk of the paddock during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, is in danger. The 2009 world champion revealed yesterday that commercial pressures meant the facial hair, which he is growing as part of the charity fund-raiser Movember, might have to be shaved off. "I have a photo shoot so I may have to get rid of it. But the sponsors said they will give a lot of money to charity if it does [come off]."
Mancini's popular pit stop
Roberto Mancini made one Manchester City supporter's day yesterday. The City manager, who was at Yas Marina Circuit with his family for the race, signed a McLaren-Mercedes mechanic's City emblazoned shirt while on the grid before the race, and then happily posed for a photograph to leave the grinning supporter on a Blue Moon.
Lotus' badge of honour
Mancini was not the only visitor from the football world yesterday. Ronaldo, the former Brazil striker, strode around the grid with a smile on his face during his visit as a guest of Renault. Meanwhile, Neil Warnock, the manager of Queens Park Rangers, the English Premier League side, and players Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jay Bothroyd and Heidar Helguson were also in the paddock. They were there to unveil the club's crest on the Team Lotus car. Tony Fernandes, the Team Lotus team principal, also owns QPR.
McIlroy swings into town
Rory McIlroy has experienced success in the UAE on the golf course and he was in the country yesterday to see how it was done in the world of motorsport. The golfer, who the Dubai Desert Classic in 2009 was on the pit wall yesterday with his girlfriend, Caroline Wozniacki, the women's world No 1 tennis player.
Force India pair to wait
Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil both scored points in yesterday's Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but neither man knows their future. Vijay Mallya has refused to confirm who will drive for Force India in 2012 and has given no indication on when he will put the two out of their misery on whether they will keep their drives with the team. Di Resta, who joined the team at the start of the year, said: "Vijay will announce it when he wants to announce it. He is not going to speed up the decision. He is the boss, the team principal and that is his right."
Yas chief delighted
Richard Cregan, the chief executive of Yas Marina Circuit, has been saying all year the UAE track was going to produce entertaining racing this year. And last night his decision not to make costly alterations to the track was vindicated. "Right up until the last lap the race was full of excitement, with plenty of overtaking," Cregan said. "The DRS [Drag Reduction System] zones and the driver's determination to win made this a fantastic race. We can't wait for next year, and Yas Marina Circuit would like to thank all of our guests for supporting the race once again."
US circuit is confident
United States Grand Prix circuit construction chiefs have been left bemused by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone's remarks that have cast doubt on the race. Steve Sexton, the Circuit of the Americas president, said: "Our funding is secured and construction is on schedule, so we don't understand Mr Ecclestone's comments."
The%20Specs
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Madrid Open schedule
Men's semi-finals
Novak Djokovic (1) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 6pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11pm
Women's final
Simona Halep (3) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 8.30pm