Latest news with #ExCel
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Rowland targets multiple titles after Formula E breakthrough
LONDON: After 11 seasons that have produced 10 different champions, Formula E's new title-holder Oliver Rowland believes the all-electric series has become less of a lottery and he can break with the past. The Nissan driver, who clinched this year's crown in Berlin on July 13 with two races to spare, told reporters ahead of his home British season finale at London's ExCel this weekend that the championship was fairer now. "In the early years we had this qualifying system which was just mental, where the top six in the championship went out on a track that was one second slower than (for) the next group and then half a second slower than the next group," he said. "You could never pull away in the championship. You would basically get in the lead and then just start last in the next race." In 2021, the last year before the Season Eight change, 18 drivers remained in title contention heading into the final two rounds. Seven of the 11 championships, including the first three, have been decided in the final race. Only Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne has so far managed to defend a Formula E crown, winning back-to-back titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19. The current qualifying splits drivers into two groups of 11 based on championship position, with odd numbers in one group and evens in the other, before the top four from each advance to knockout duels. "It's kind of much fairer and I think you have the opportunity to see people winning more back-to-back titles," said Rowland, 32. "I think it's a little bit fairer now in terms of not being as much of a lottery. I expect that you will see the same guys towards the front and more repeat winners moving forward," said Rowland. While this year's drivers' crown is won, Nissan are fighting Porsche for the team and manufacturers' titles. Rowland said his ambition for the future, without the pressure of chasing a first title, was to try to cement himself as one of the top drivers in the series. "It's a good motivation to have, to try and win three or four (titles)," he said. -REUTERS
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Rowland eyes many titles after Formula E breakthrough
After 11 seasons that have produced 10 different champions, Formula E's new title holder Oliver Rowland believes the all-electric series has become less of a lottery and he can break with the past. The Nissan driver, who clinched this year's crown in Berlin on July 13 with two races to spare, told reporters ahead of his home British season finale at London's ExCel this weekend that the championship was fairer. "In the early years we had a qualifying system which was mental, where the top six in the championship went out on a track that was one second slower than (for) the next group and then half a second slower than the next group," he said. "You could never pull away in the championship. You would basically get in the lead and then start last in the next race." In 2021, the last year before the season eight change, 18 drivers remained in title contention heading into the final two rounds. Seven of the 11 championships, including the first three, have been decided in the final race. Only Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne has managed to defend a Formula E crown, winning back-to-back titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19. The qualifying splits drivers into two groups of 11 based on championship position, with odd numbers in one group and evens in the other, before the top four from each advance to knockout duels. "It's kind of much fairer and I think you have the opportunity to see people winning more back-to-back titles," said Rowland, 32. "I think it's a bit fairer in terms of not being as much of a lottery. I expect you will see the same guys towards the front and more repeat winners moving forward," said Rowland. While this year's drivers' crown is won, Nissan are fighting Porsche for the team and manufacturers' titles. Rowland said his ambition for the future, without the pressure of chasing a first title, was to try to cement himself as one of the top drivers in the series. "It's a good motivation to have, to try and win three or four (titles)." he said.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘High-tech' Elvis show SLAMMED by furious fans as they compare it to flop Willy Wonka experience
A 'HIGH-tech' Elvis Presley show has been blasted by fans who say it involved grainy video clips while an impersonator danced on stage. Some attendees were expecting cutting-edge holograms to rival the smash hit Advertisement 2 Elvis Evolution promised a dazzling journey through the King of Rock and Roll's life when it opened at the ExCel in East London this month 2 The King of Rock and Roll on stage in 1973 Credit: Getty But it has since been compared to Elvis Evolution promised a dazzling journey through the King of Rock and Roll's life when it opened at the ExCel in East London this month. However, disappointed punters who paid up to £300 for VIP tickets claim there was no 3D avatar — just an actor dancing in front of video clips of the icon. Chas Johnson, 48, said: 'The whole thing is lamentable. Advertisement Read More on Showbiz "But where it goes really wrong is where there was meant to be something akin to Abba Voyage with a hologram of Elvis, the focal point, that's completely missing.' Another attendee said: 'People were looking around and thinking, 'Is this it?'.' Others compared it to An Elvis Evolution spokesman said plans for a hologram concert announced in early 2024 were dropped during development. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Live Blog But they insisted this was 'made clear when tickets went on sale' and the show has been 'praised by fans and newcomers'. Jan Shepard dead at 96: Actress starred opposite Elvis
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘High-tech' Elvis show SLAMMED by furious fans as they compare it to flop Willy Wonka experience
Elvis Evolution promised a dazzling journey through the King of Rock and Roll's life SHLOCK & ROLL 'High-tech' Elvis show SLAMMED by furious fans as they compare it to flop Willy Wonka experience A 'HIGH-tech' Elvis Presley show has been blasted by fans who say it involved grainy video clips while an impersonator danced on stage. Some attendees were expecting cutting-edge holograms to rival the smash hit Abba Voyage virtual gigs. Advertisement 2 Elvis Evolution promised a dazzling journey through the King of Rock and Roll's life when it opened at the ExCel in East London this month 2 The King of Rock and Roll on stage in 1973 Credit: Getty But it has since been compared to last year's Willy Wonka experience flop by furious audiences. Elvis Evolution promised a dazzling journey through the King of Rock and Roll's life when it opened at the ExCel in East London this month. However, disappointed punters who paid up to £300 for VIP tickets claim there was no 3D avatar — just an actor dancing in front of video clips of the icon. Chas Johnson, 48, said: 'The whole thing is lamentable. Advertisement "But where it goes really wrong is where there was meant to be something akin to Abba Voyage with a hologram of Elvis, the focal point, that's completely missing.' Another attendee said: 'People were looking around and thinking, 'Is this it?'.' Others compared it to the Wonka show in Glasgow where an immersive experience left kids in tears. An Elvis Evolution spokesman said plans for a hologram concert announced in early 2024 were dropped during development. Advertisement But they insisted this was 'made clear when tickets went on sale' and the show has been 'praised by fans and newcomers'.
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Stunning Docklands riverside hotel is perfect spot to enjoy trip with ‘Friends'
The hotel was ideal for visit to the Friends exhibition at the ExCel WHEN people head for a trip to London, it's usually to take in iconic sights like Big Ben or Buckingham Palace. But when I booked a surprise trip for my sister Lorna's big 50, having already seen the Big Smoke's most famous landmarks a few times over, we decided to check out a different side of the city. Advertisement 13 Lisa and Lorna lived out their 'Friends' dream in Monica's kitchen at the ExCel Credit: the Sun 13 The Docklands area of the capital is perfect spot for seeing all the city gems Credit: Getty 13 The sisters are HUGE fans of the hit TV show Friends Credit: Getty So, I arranged an afternoon of comedy and capers at the incredible Friends Experience in the ExCeL Centre and after flying down to Heathrow we headed for London's Docklands. Our base for the weekend was the Crown Plaza London Docklands — and what a beautiful one it was. The hotel sits right on the water's edge, sharing its peak spot with some quirky street food vendors. After a quick selfie by the funky flower wall, we headed upstairs to our superior room which offered plenty of space, TWO king-sized beds and a cracking river view. Advertisement 13 The Crowne Plaza is in the heart of London's Docklands right on the River Thames 13 The Crowne Plaza's flower wall was a perfect selfie spot Credit: the Sun 13 The room had two kingsize beds and was lovely and spacious with a river view 13 Trendy Fremantle bar and restaurant does a roaring trade from both hotel guests and passers-by Advertisement 13 Fabulous food at Freemantle Credit: the Sun Dinner was at stylish in-house restaurant Fremantle, where the menu offers tastes from around the globe and the drinks are just as varied. We both opted for the tempura prawns for our starters, which were deliciously crisp and juicy. I followed that with the BBQ steak flatbread with bourbon chipotle, tomato salsa and szechuan crunch which was a delight. Advertisement Sis enjoyed the chicken katsu sando with pickled shallots, peppers and Thai chilli jam, all washed down with a beautiful bottle of Malbec. Next day, after tucking into Fremantle's massive hot buffet breakfast we went exploring after deciding to stay local in the Docklands. Just a stone's throw from the hotel is Heroica, a unique bar and dining experience where you can enjoy a beer and a pizza inside an old London bus. Inside Jennifer Aniston's $21MILLION Bel Air mansion as she gives a tour amid Emmy 2024 prep Still too full from breakfast, we enjoyed a refreshing pre-lunch Aperol Spritz. Advertisement Nearby is the IFS Cloud Cable Car which takes you (as the name suggests) into the clouds, 90 metres above the River Thames to the Greenwich Peninsula and home of the Millennium Dome — now known as the O2 — where between shops, bars and restaurants and various different experiences, you won't be stuck to fill your day. Birthday celebration As it happened we had a date with some 'Friends', so after a bite to eat at Gordon Ramsay's Street Burger, we hopped back on the cable car and headed to the ExCeL London, which was, conveniently, a five- minute walk from the hotel. After watching Friends together over and over (and over!), for more than 30 years the Friends Experience was the perfect way to spend a big birthday celebration. We ambled through the set recreations and interactive displays reminiscing about all the moments over the last three decades that have made us laugh again and again. Advertisement Walking into Monica and Rachel's and Chandler and Joey's apartments was so surreal and so special. 13 The sisters took the cable car to the exhibit Credit: The Sun 13 Tea at Monica and Rachel's was surreal and all part of the Friends Experience at London's ExCeL 13 The girls enjoyed a tour of the iconic Friends set, including a rest in Joey and Chandler's loungers Advertisement 13 Joey, Ross, Chandler, Monica and Phoebe in the episode 'The One Where They All Turn Thirty.' Credit: Getty We sat by the big window, hoping not to catch a glimpse of Ugly Naked Guy, played some fusball in the boys' kitchen and had a go on Phoebe's guitar and Ross's keyboard in the world famous Central Perk, before enjoying a glass of bubbly watching the world go by. After that we jumped on the Elizabeth Line and headed just one short stop to the thriving Canary Wharf for some dinner at Wahaca — an authentic and trendy Mexican restaurant set up by Masterchef winner, Thomasina Miers, which serves up the best nachos and margaritas I've ever had. 13 Some refreshing margaritas served up at trendy Mexican restaurant, Wahaca - set up by Masterchef winner, Thomasina Miers Advertisement Once a hub for shipping and industry, London's Docklands has made a name for itself as a vibrant, fun place to both live and visit. The Crowne Plaza is the perfect spot to stay for a gig at the O2 or ExCeL or even if you're looking for an easy way to get in and out of the Big Smoke's more bustling parts. It's also a great place to unwind away from the crowds and enjoy London at leisure.
