Parity, performance and unfulfilled potential. Such are the dominant themes as Formula One teams prepare for this weekend's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, the first of back-to-back races prior to the sport's summer recess.
Red Bull-Renault have spent almost as much time pledging equality this season as they has preparing cars - and the story continues to create headlines. The team have consistently denied allegations that Sebastian Vettel is given preferential treatment but did not help their own cause 12 days ago at Silverstone, where a new front wing was removed from Mark Webber's car to replace one that had broken on the German driver's car.
Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner, insists, however, that his drivers are - and will continue to be - treated as equals. Speaking to German newspaper Kleine Zeitung, the Austrian said: "Having No 1 and No 2 drivers is not my racing philosophy. You cannot just programme a champion."
Webber won at Silverstone, despite the wing controversy, and also scored a comfortable victory in Germany last season. That race, though, took place at the Nurburgring rather than the ultra-flat Hockenheim. The German GP is unique on the current calendar in that it alternates between two circuits.
Lewis Hamilton, the championship leader, triumphed at Hockenheim in 2008, and the McLaren-Mercedes team have been working flat out to fine-tune the exhaust-blown diffuser that was tried but discarded at Silverstone. The other leading teams are already using such systems.
"We're under no illusions," said Martin Whitmarsh, the McLaren team principal. "We need to add further performance if we are to remain at the forefront in the title race."
Hamilton and Jenson Button, his teammate, will undertake a serious test programme during today's free practice session, comparing new and old diffusers before deciding which to use for the balance of the weekend.
Ferrari, meanwhile, continue to wrestle with the unpalatable truth that they trail McLaren and Red Bull in the championship, despite an obvious upturn in form during the past three races. Lapped traffic cost Fernando Alonso a possible victory in Canada and likely podium finishes were frittered away by circumstance at both Valencia and Silverstone.
After the British GP, Stefano Domenicali, the team principal, said: "We are angry that we did not get the result of which we were capable, but this anger must be turned into a positive force. If we knuckle down and continue calmly with car development, the results will come."
Mercedes GP are participating in their home grand prix as a works team for the first time since 1954. They have some new chassis upgrades, but unless the top three trip up spectacularly their best hope remains a podium finish.
Farther back in the field, Sakon Yamamoto gets another opportunity with the cash-strapped HRT team: Bruno Senna returns to the fold after missing Silverstone, however, and Karun Chandhok steps down to accommodate the Japanese driver.
motoring@thenational.ae
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
'Ashkal'
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
SPECS
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Company%20Profile
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Bib%20Gourmand%20restaurants
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Company%C2%A0profile
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Honeymoonish
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CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
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AIDA%20RETURNS
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UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle
