ABU DHABI // Yas Marina Circuit already holds happy memories for Daniel Ricciardo as he prepares to race in Sunday's Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Ricciardo, 22, made the headlines this time last year after topping the times at the Young Driver Test held in Abu Dhabi in a Red Bull Racing car.
Much has happened for the Red Bull-backed Australian since.
He served as a Friday driver for Toro Rosso in the opening races before being loaned to Hispania Racing Team in July. Sunday's race will be his ninth for the Spanish team.
Ricciardo is quick to credit the importance of his work in Abu Dhabi 12 months ago for getting him to where he is now.
"It was important," he said. "It was probably more important that I was quickest because the car was arguably the best one out there and I think [Red Bull] expected me to be quickest.
"I think that proved a few things and probably helped give me the opportunity I have been given this year" to drive for Hispania.
Despite Hispania's continued struggles in their second season in the sport, and their usual starting position on the back row of the grid, the Perth-born racer believes he is improving with every grand prix.
"Just doing a race distance, you cannot compare anything to that," Ricciardo said.
"You can do long runs in testing and can get an idea of what a tyre does or how the car behaves when it burns off fuel, but to actually do it in a race situation is something else.
"If I do get a seat somewhere next year it will definitely get me off on the right foot and already have a bit of momentum before the season starts."
Ricciardo has been linked with a move back to Toro Rosso as a full-time driver for next season, but he has been kept guessing at the intentions of his Red Bull bosses.
He said that Dr Helmut Marko, the racing consultant to Dieter Mateschitz, the Red Bull owner, gives little away.
"Dr Marko still says 'hi' to me, so I think I am still in his good books," he said in jest.
"Every time he comes up to talk to me I get a bit excited but then he says something about the week or what is going on now and it is not about the future."
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Company%20profile
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Manchester City, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports