The Red Bull-Renault technical director, talks about the championship fight.
How do you see the development race between yourselves, McLaren and Ferrari?
It's impossible to forecast. We are now more than 18 months into a very new set of regulations. There were obviously some significant changes last winter, with regard to the refuelling ban and smaller front tyres, but the aerodynamic regulations have been more or less fixed. On that basis it is likely that the rate will gradually slow down.
As long as your rivals try and copy things on your car they are not trying new things. What other areas can you explore before they get there?
If I told you that they'd be doing it! McLaren pioneered the F-duct this year, but I find it very difficult to forecast what new features will come along, as opposed to incremental development of wings or whatever.
Is it reassuring to see your main rivals trying things already fitted to your car?
Only if we stay ahead. You can look at it two ways. It's complimentary, but not necessarily reassuring because if they do a decent job our advantage might be eroded.
How do you rate your two drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel?
Mark is very sensitive in some areas, Sebastian in others. That gives us two things to look at, but their driving technique is sufficiently similar that it doesn't give us the headache of having to develop the car differently for the two of them.
sports@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding