Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has labelled this year’s title battle “a dream scenario” and revealed he has “envy” not being involved.
After Lewis Hamilton took victory in the most dramatic grand prix of the world championship to date on Monday (AEDT), leading home Max Verstappen in Saudi Arabia, the title rivals are locked on 369.5 points ahead of the final race, in Abu Dhabi.
It’ll mark the 30th time the championship has been decided in the final race and just the second time two drivers have taken to the grid for the last grand prix even on points.
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That hasn’t happened since McLaren’s Emerson Fittipaldi and Ferrari’s Clay Regazzoni went to the United States Grand Prix equal on 52 points in 1974.
Adding to the Hamilton-Verstappen spectacle are the several clashes they’ve had on the track, at Silverstone in July, Monza in September and Saudi Arabia on Monday.
Lap 37 of the Jeddah circuit saw the fierce rivals collide twice, with Verstappen being accused of ‘brake-testing’ Hamilton in the second incident, damaging the front wing of his Mercedes.
The tension underlying the championship contest has been captured brilliantly by radio.
“This guy’s f—ing crazy, man”, Hamilton said to his team when Verstappen altered his line, clipped the seven-time world champion and drove off the track to retain his lead at turn one of lap 37 in Saudi Arabia.
Ricciardo, a former Red Bull teammate of Verstappen who’s now racing with McLaren, is engrossed by the title fight.
“You want a battle like this,” Ricciardo said.
“You have got the veteran record-holder on the one hand, and then the youngest-ever winner on the other.
“It is a really cool battle and it is a great story. Obviously they are going toe to toe, and it is (a) real genuine battle.
“I have some envy not being a part of it, but ultimately for the sport and as a fan of the sport, it is a dream scenario.”
Hamilton has won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix five times since it was introduced to the Formula 1 calendar in 2009.
But Verstappen dominated last year’s edition, beating the second-placed Valterri Bottas by 15 seconds and third-placed Hamilton by 18 seconds.
One of the greatest title battles in the 71-year history of Formula 1 is now set for its climax.
“It is the highest-pressure scenario as they are both on equal points,” Ricciardo said.
“Ultimately, who wins next week will win.
“It’s cool, and as a fan, it is awesome.
“Just when you think Netflix can’t get anymore exciting!”
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