The National’s Sport cover for the Monday, November 24 issue, features Lewis Hamilton, moments after the Mercedes driver stormed to victory in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to claim the world title.
Click here for comphrensive coverage of all of the Formula One action from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
After 19 hotly contested races and 5,714 kilometres of grand prix racing, the 2014 Formula One world championship title was effectively decided on Sunday night by a 100-metre sprint from the start line to the first corner at Yas Marina Circuit.
Listen Up: In this Extra Time podcast, Aaron Gray speaks to Graham Caygill about an electrifying F1 weekend
Hamilton was crowned a two-time world champion under the floodlights in Abu Dhabi and on taking the chequered flag the British driver was congratulated over his team radio by a member of his country’s royal family.
“Thanks for not letting the British public down and not making the British public sweat,” Prince Harry said. “You are an absolute legend. Well done, mate.”
At any other venue on any other day, such a message may have seemed surreal.
Click here for Gary Meenaghan’s full report from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Hamilton, surrounded by stands filled with Union Jacks and fireworks exploding above the glittering Yas Viceroy Hotel, instead showed few signs of deference, screaming, “Wooohooooo, world champion. Oh my God, I can’t believe it.”
It was one of the biggest sport weekends of the year as the DP World Tour Championship also wrapped up in Dubai and the UAE football team was in action for the Gulf Cup of Nations semi-finals.
Follow our sports coverage on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Racecard
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Fixtures:
Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final
Table:
1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10
2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8
3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6
4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4
5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2
