Sports

Alonso gets 100th F1 podium after penalty u-turn

Published

3 years ago

March 20, 2023

Staff Reporter

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BEN STANSALL/ AFP

Fernando Alonso was handed back the 100th podium of his Formula One career, and second in two races for Aston Martin, after a U-turn by officials hours after the finish of Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old double world champion, enjoying a renaissance with his much-improved team, finished third in Jeddah but was demoted to fourth by a 10-second post-race penalty.

The Spaniard was initially handed a five-second penalty for an error on the starting grid and another for failing to serve it properly — the rear jack being in contact with the car before the five seconds were up.

That second penalty was then reversed when his team won a right to review after presenting new evidence to support their case.

“I am happy in the end with the result tonight and our second podium. We showed that we can be the second fastest team and we had good pace throughout the race,” said Alonso in a team statement.

The new evidence included the minutes of the latest Sporting Advisory Committee meeting and video of “seven different instances where cars were touched by the jack while serving a similar penalty… without being penalised.”

Stewards said the evidence called into question a supposed agreement between the teams and FIA that “touching the car in any way, including with a jack, would constitute ‘working’ on the car.”

Alonso, who had celebrated on the podium before the demotion, had criticised the FIA for the delay in imposing the second penalty more than 30 laps after his pitstop.

“I think it’s more an FIA poor show today, more than disappointment for ourselves,” he said then.

“You can’t apply a penalty 35 laps after the pitstop. They had enough time to really inform about the penalty. If I knew that, maybe I open 11 seconds to the car behind. Today we didn’t put on a good show, I think, for our fans.

“They told me just five seconds in the first stint and I opened seven or eight. Then in the second there was no information at all, not even investigated.”

The reversal meant Mercedes driver George Russell dropped back to fourth after appearing in the post-race news conference as third-placed finisher.

“The penalty on Fernando was harsh. They are deserving podium finishers today but I’ll take an extra trophy,” he said earlier.

Sergio Perez won the race from pole position in a Red Bull one-two with Max Verstappen staying top of the championship after racing from 15th to second with the fastest lap.

Double Formula One world champion Verstappen snatched the bonus point from Perez with a last-lap blast around Jeddah’s floodlit Corniche street circuit that left him a point clear of the Mexican.

The result was Red Bull’s second one-two in as many races this season but a reverse of the March 5 opener in Bahrain.

Perez had also started on pole last year before ending up fourth after an unfortunate safety car, but this time he made it stick despite another such intervention.

Verstappen now has 44 points, Perez 43 and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso 30.

Red Bull have 87 points in the constructors’ standings with Aston Martin and Mercedes level on 38.

There were more than a few fireworks in our second race of the season! 🎆#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/WqMHL1lAqW

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 19, 2023

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Sports

DP World ILT20: MI Emirates bounce back in style as Farooqi, Bairstow lead the charge

Published

22 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Michael Gomes

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MI Emirates delivered a clinical all-round performance to seal a convincing seven-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20, with left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and opener Jonny Bairstow leading the charge.

Farooqi was the standout performer with the ball, ripping through ADKR’s top order with a superb 4-for that never allowed the hosts to settle. His early breakthroughs set the tone for MI Emirates as ADKR struggled to build momentum, eventually posting a below-par total.

Chasing the target, MI Emirates showed confidence from the outset. Bairstow anchored the innings with a composed, unbeaten 49, mixing clean hitting with smart rotation of strike. His calm presence ensured the chase stayed on track, while contributions from the middle order helped wrap up the match with plenty of balls to spare.

The win marks MI Emirates’ third victory of the season and a timely boost to their campaign. For ADKR, the search for consistency continues as they look to bounce back in their next outing.

With form on their side and key players stepping up, MI Emirates will be eyeing another strong showing when they return to action later this week.

Brief Scores:
MI Emirates beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by seven wickets

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 122 in 19.3 overs (Alishan Sharafu 38, Sunil Narine 26, Fazalhaq Farooqi 4 for 14, Kamindu Mendis 3 for 21)

MI Emirates 123/3 in 13.5 overs (Jonny Bairstow 49, Tom Banton 29, Muhammad Waseem 27, Jason Holder 1 for 11, Ajay Kumar 1 for 30)

Player of the match: Kamindu Mendis

Sports

Dubai Basketball takes on Bayern Munich in blockbuster EuroLeague showdown this Friday

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Dubai Basketball fans, get ready, because one of the biggest names in global sport is coming to town.

Dubai’s first-ever professional basketball franchise will hit the court against FC Bayern Munich at the Coca-Cola Arena on Friday, December 12. And they’re stepping into the game with some serious momentum, riding a 10-game unbeaten streak at home across both the EuroLeague and the ABA League.

After a strong debut season in the ABA League, where they powered their way to the playoff semi-finals, Dubai Basketball is now competing in the EuroLeague for the very first time.

For anyone new to it, the EuroLeague is Europe’s top-tier basketball competition, featuring 20 elite teams from 10 countries, all battling it out through a high-speed, high-intensity season that ends with the iconic Final Four showdown.

Big stage, big opponent, big moment for Dubai. Game on.

Sports

DP World ILT20: Desert Vipers beat MI Emirates by one run in last-ball thriller

Published

3 days ago

December 10, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Cricket fans at the Zayed Cricket Stadium were treated to a nail-biting finish on Tuesday night as the Desert Vipers edged MI Emirates by just one run in a dramatic DP World ILT20 Season 4 clash.

The victory marked the Vipers’ fourth straight win of the season, keeping them firmly at the top of the points table with eight points.

Payne Turns the Game on Its Head

Defending a total of 159, the Vipers found themselves under pressure until David Payne delivered a match-winning 19th over, picking up three crucial wickets to completely swing momentum. Payne finished with sensational figures of 4 for 29 and was named Player of the Match.

He was well supported by UAE pacer Khuzaima Tanveer, who took 2 for 34, as the Vipers held their nerve in the dying moments.

MI Emirates needed 16 runs from the final over, and Rashid Khan nearly pulled off the chase with a six and a four. However, the batting side fell two runs short on the very last ball, sealing a heartbreaking defeat.

MI Emirates Fight Hard in the Chase

Chasing 160, MI Emirates lost Jonny Bairstow early, but Muhammad Waseem (24) and Tom Banton (34) rebuilt the innings with a steady partnership. Later, Nicholas Pooran (31) joined Banton to keep the chase alive.

Kieron Pollard, leading the side, added a quick 23 off 13 balls and looked dangerous before being dismissed by Payne in the penultimate over, a moment that proved crucial.

Solid Start with the Bat for Vipers

Earlier, the Vipers got off to a strong start thanks to Fakhar Zaman (35) and Andries Gous (21). After Gous retired hurt, Zaman added 51 runs with Max Holden (42) to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Late contributions from Shimron Hetmyer (15), Sam Curran (19) and Dan Lawrence (15 not out) helped the Vipers reach a competitive 159 for 4.

For MI Emirates, young spinner Allah Ghazanfar impressed with 2 for 32, while Fazalhaq Farooqi also chipped in with a wicket.

David Payne, Player of the Match, said: “It went right down to the wire, and it was entertaining for everyone watching. We kept things simple, hit the right areas, and that made the difference.”

MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard reflected: “We didn’t finish the innings well in the last couple of overs. In cricket, momentum can change quickly, and that’s exactly what happened tonight.”