The Formula 1 season decider has arrived in Abu Dhabi, with fans from 105 countries descending on the UAE capital to witness what is expected to be one of the most dramatic finales in recent years. The title showdown between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has set the stage for a high-stakes weekend at Yas Marina Circuit.

Here are five key things visitors need to know about the venue during race weekend:

1. A circuit built for championship drama
Yas Marina Circuit is among the most technically advanced tracks in Formula 1, featuring a 1.2-kilometre straight where cars surpass 330 km/h, an underground pit-lane exit tunnel, and a fan-centric layout. It has hosted several iconic championship moments, including Sebastian Vettel’s first title win in 2010, Nico Rosberg’s emotional win-and-retire moment in 2016, and Verstappen’s last-lap title battle in 2021. As the final race of the season, the track is poised to add another historic chapter.

2. Seamless movement around the circuit
Navigating the venue has been made simple through a circular shuttle system operating throughout race weekend. Fans can move easily between main access gates, fan zones, Yas Marina, and Etihad Park for the Emirates NBD Yasalam After-Race Concerts. The Abu Dhabi GP mobile app also provides instant wayfinding tools.

3. Fans can arrive by yacht
Visitors docking at Yas Marina or staying onboard one of the moored yachts can reach the circuit using dedicated water taxis. Those on the marina vessels will have exclusive, trackside vantage points with clear visibility of several high-action sections of the circuit.

4. Hospitality, entertainment, and nightlife at scale
Purpose-built for hospitality, Yas Marina Circuit features more than 40 trackside suites integrated into its architecture, alongside the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island hotel, which sits directly above Sector 3. Unlike circuits that retrofit hospitality offerings, Yas Marina was designed from inception as an entertainment destination.

New this year is 360 at Sixteen, an elevated multi-level open-air lounge above Turn 16. Returning favourites include Deck at Two featuring Dani García’s LEÑA, Deck at Nine with OPA’s Greek-inspired menu, and Luna Lounge by Cé La Vi. The circuit’s unique podium placement also turns post-race celebrations into a large-scale, visible trackside party.

5. One ticket unlocks experiences across the venue
All ticket holders gain access to multiple on- and off-track experiences. Family Fridays allow free entry for children, offering interactive racing activities, roaming performers, and entertainment zones. Fans can also upgrade their access to premium grandstands and fan zones.

Every attendee also receives entry to the Emirates NBD Yasalam After-Race Concerts, which bring global performers to the heart of race weekend.

Beyond the finale, Yas Marina Circuit operates year-round, offering public driving programmes, karting, drag racing, guided tours, community fitness activities, and motorsport events.

For the latest updates and timings, fans are advised to check the Abu Dhabi GP app.

Encryption rarely makes headlines, yet it quietly underpins almost every digital system that powers modern economies, from banking and aviation to healthcare and national security. Now, the UAE is pushing it out of the shadows and into the centre of national strategy with its forthcoming National Encryption Policy. It is a move that signals more than technical compliance, it points to how seriously the country is treating digital trust as core infrastructure.

To unpack why this matters, and what it means in practical terms for governments and businesses, we speak with Mohammed Aboul-Magd, VP of Product at SandboxAQ’s Cybersecurity Group, on the risks hiding in today’s cryptographic systems, the looming impact of quantum computing, and why automation may be the only way nations can realistically become quantum-safe at scale.

Encryption is usually viewed as a deeply technical field, so it’s striking to see an entire national policy dedicated to it. Why is the UAE taking this step now?

It’s rare to see encryption elevated to the level of national strategy — and that’s exactly why this move matters. But in many ways, this is exactly what a forward-looking digital economy should be doing.

The UAE understands that encryption is not a niche technical safeguard but rather the silent infrastructure that secures everything from government communications and financial transactions to aviation systems, healthcare records and critical national assets.

Every digital interaction we rely on involves encryption in some form. Yet despite this dependency, cryptography is still, in most organisations, a largely manual and neglected discipline. Companies deploy encryption algorithms, implement keys and certificates, and then, over time, lose visibility and control over them. It’s a bit like fitting every door in your home with strong locks but never checking whether those locks are still secure as technology evolves and attackers become more sophisticated.

A national policy forces a change in mindset. It recognises that secure cryptography is as fundamental to economic competitiveness and national security as reliable power or transport infrastructure. By placing encryption at the centre of strategy, the UAE is signalling that digital trust is now a matter of national resilience and that it intends to lead, rather than follow, in securing the foundations of its economy. This is the UAE treating cryptography the same way it treats aviation, energy, or finance: as critical national infrastructure.

You mentioned encryption algorithms eventually becoming insecure. Should businesses simply accept that as inevitable?

Algorithms age, and history shows that even widely trusted standards eventually become vulnerable. Encryption algorithms are essentially mathematical puzzles. As computing power advances, and as cryptanalysis improves, puzzles that were once impossible to solve can, over time, be cracked. We’ve seen this with early versions of RSA, with MD5. When these algorithms failed, the fallout for organisations was severe, potentially resulting in data exposures, compliance failures and, in some cases, complete system overhauls.

The real challenge today is that many organisations don’t know where outdated algorithms are still hiding. Without an automated inventory of their cryptography, they can’t say whether parts of their systems are secured by algorithms that have already been compromised. That blind spot is where real risk lives.

This is why the UAE’s forthcoming National Encryption Policy will likely include several critical measures. First, automated cryptographic inventory will become mandatory. Manual spreadsheets will no longer be acceptable. Entities will need real-time visibility of every key, certificate and algorithm across their environments. You cannot modernise what you cannot see.

Second, we should expect the National Encryption Policy to set phased and risk-based timelines for retiring vulnerable algorithms. Some sectors, especially those with legacy industrial systems, may need more time. What matters is that organisations follow a clear roadmap, beginning with systems that protect long-lived or mission-critical data.

And third, the policy will also mandate crypto-agility, meaning systems must be able to rotate keys or upgrade algorithms without rewriting applications or taking services offline. Crypto-agility prevents the accumulation of legacy cryptographic risk: outdated keys, certificates and algorithms that quietly accumulate risk over time.

Quantum computing always comes up in conversations about encryption. How real is this threat, and what could it mean for a country like the UAE?

Quantum computing is no longer a distant theoretical concern. Recent progress, such as IBM’s “Loon” chip, shows a credible engineering pathway to fault-tolerant quantum machines before the end of the decade. That shifts quantum risk from abstract to strategic planning territory.

I wouldn’t say Q-Day has a fixed date, but we now have realistic trajectories that place it well within the investment and technology cycles that governments care about. And the risk isn’t only future: harvest-now, decrypt-later attacks are already happening. Adversaries are collecting encrypted data today to decrypt the moment quantum capabilities arrive.

That’s why the UAE’s timing is so important. By preparing early, the country turns a challenge into an opportunity. A nation that can demonstrate it is quantum-safe becomes a far more attractive destination for global business, investment and innovation. The UAE clearly sees that future and is positioning itself ahead of the curve.

The global shortage of advanced cybersecurity talent is well known. With post-quantum cryptography now on the agenda, how can the UAE build the skills required for national readiness?

This is one of the most important aspects of the national strategy, because no country can hire its way out of this challenge. There simply aren’t enough cryptographers in the global workforce. The UAE will likely find the answer in combining targeted upskilling with intelligent automation.

Platforms like SandboxAQ’s AQtive Guard are designed to democratise complex security practices. They allow generalist IT and security teams to manage cryptographic upgrades, automation and PQC transitions without needing a PhD in mathematics. In parallel, capabilities such as AskAI and integrated security knowledge graphs help turn operators into specialists on the fly, supporting continuous learning within organisations.

This “human plus automation” model is how nations will scale quantum-safe capability. Not by expanding headcount, but by expanding capability.

Finally, what role should the private sector play in supporting the UAE’s National Encryption Policy?

The private sector will be instrumental. The government sets the standards, but companies provide the infrastructure that allows those standards to be implemented at scale. The UAE is likely to align its policy with global frameworks such as NIST’s PQC algorithms, and the private sector’s role will be to ensure these standards can be adopted seamlessly across legacy systems.

This means solving what we often call the “last-mile integration problem” by making sure that banks, telcos, government entities and critical-infrastructure operators can upgrade cryptography without operational disruption. Private-sector platforms will provide the automation required to rotate keys, replace algorithms and manage cryptographic policy at enterprise level.

By working hand in hand, government and industry can accelerate the UAE’s transformation into a quantum-safe economy and position the country as a global leader in digital trust.

Driven | Forbes Global Properties has been named the exclusive sales partner for the residences at Corinthia Dubai, covering both branded and non-branded units. Developed by Dubai General Properties, the twin towers along Sheikh Zayed Road will also host Dubai’s first Corinthia five-star, ultra-luxury hotel.

“This project stands out for its clarity of vision: an iconic address that pairs a five-star hospitality experience with a versatile residential offering. It’s the kind of development that creates long-term value for residents and investors alike,” said Abdullah Alajaji, founder and CEO of Driven | Forbes Global Properties. “Our team is honored to be leading sales on such a unique, city-shaping project.”

Jassim Al Ali, MD of Dubai General Properties, emphasised the value of choice for buyers. “By bringing Corinthia Branded Residences together with premium non-branded options in one destination, we’re giving buyers genuine choice without compromising on quality. Our ambition extends beyond merely constructing skyscrapers; we aim to create developments that capture the global imagination and forge a lasting legacy in urban design,” he said.

Read more-Sobha Realty launches The Mirage at Sobha Central on Sheikh Zayed Road

Hadi Hamra, managing partner at Driven | Forbes Global Properties, added, “We’re pleased to present this historic project to the world’s most discerning buyers and to continue curating best-in-class residences for our clients.”

An architectural statement

Designed by AtkinsRéalis, Corinthia Dubai is poised to become one of the tallest buildings in the world, soaring over 500 metres. The twin towers will feature a dramatic, cantilevered sky lobby suspended mid-air, creating a striking silhouette on Dubai’s skyline. Inspired by Art Deco elegance, the towers aim to blend timeless aesthetics with contemporary design.

“These towers reflect timeless perfection, standing as an icon on SZR. They epitomize the essence of urban luxury and a modern oasis in the sky. Their crafted geometry scales the sky while gently stepping back, unveiling one-of-a-kind residences with unparalleled vistas of Dubai’s skyline and the Arabian Gulf,” said Timothy Winstanley, AIA, RIBA, design director and lead architect of the project.

Luxury residences with sky-high amenities

The residences are designed with generous, open layouts that maximise uninterrupted sea and skyline views. Select units will include private pools, gyms, and expansive indoor-outdoor entertainment areas. Residents will enjoy privileged access to Corinthia Wellness and the hotel’s renowned amenities, supported by the brand’s signature service standards.

The interior concept, “Stillness in the Sky,” draws inspiration from a blooming garden, featuring soft, tactile materials, champagne-metal finishes, floral motifs, and abundant natural light, transforming everyday living into moments of quiet luxury.

Spanning 330,000 square metres and slated for completion by 2030, Corinthia Dubai promises a multifaceted lifestyle combining cutting-edge architecture, exceptional hospitality, and modern comfort. Supported by Driven | Forbes Global Properties, the project is set to become a landmark that sets global benchmarks for luxury living in the heart of Dubai.

Mubadala Energy, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered international energy company, has signed a Heads of Agreement (HoA) with PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI), a subsidiary of Indonesia’s national electricity provider, to supply gas from its Andaman Sea fields. The agreement represents a major step forward for Indonesia’s energy sector as the country works to strengthen supply resilience and reduce reliance on imported LNG.

Under the proposed partnership, Mubadala Energy and PLN EPI will collaborate to improve energy security in Indonesia by prioritising domestic gas supply for North Sumatra and Aceh. A key component of the plan is the potential development of the Tangkulo gas field, located around 65 kilometres offshore North Sumatra, which holds more than 2 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas-in-place.

Abdulla Bu Ali, president director of Mubadala Energy Indonesia, said: “This agreement reflects our unwavering commitment to Indonesia’s energy future. By partnering with PLN EPI, we aim to deliver reliable and sustainable energy solutions that meet domestic needs and strengthen national energy security. This is also an important step for our development plans of the Tangkulo gas project in the South Andaman Sea.”

Indonesia is entering a pivotal period in its energy transition, with a growing need to diversify supply sources and upgrade infrastructure to support future demand. Mubadala Energy’s international operational expertise, combined with PLN EPI’s domestic reach and strategic role in the country’s power sector, positions the collaboration to help address long-term energy requirements.

Rakhmad Dewanto, president director of PLN Energi Primer Indonesia, said: “PLN EPI continues to support the development of new gas fields in Indonesia and welcomes the development of the Tangkulo gas field in the South Andaman Block by Mubadala Energy. This collaboration is also part of the development of a gas supply portfolio for the power sector to support energy security and the energy transition in Indonesia.”

The signing ceremony was attended by the chairman of SKK Migas, Djoko Siswanto, who emphasised the significance of the agreement, noting: “The signing of this HoA marks an important milestone in the development of the Tangkulo Project.”

The HoA establishes a framework for continued technical and commercial discussions. Mubadala Energy’s expanded role in supporting domestic gas supply underscores its long-term commitment to Indonesia, while PLN EPI continues to advance initiatives aimed at securing reliable, sustainable energy for the country.