Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has applauded Max Verstappen on his title-clinching Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory but admitted he’s “feeling for Lewis (Hamilton)“.
Ricciardo was in the thick of the action over the final two laps of the grand prix, during which race director Michael Masi allowed some, but not all, lapped drivers to pass the safety car, paving the way for Verstappen’s surge past Hamilton.
Ricciardo wasn’t permitted to overtake the safety car on the 57th lap because he wasn’t one of the drivers positioned between Hamilton and Verstappen. Those five cars were ushered through to clear the way for a thrilling Hamilton-Verstappen final-lap shootout, Ricciardo watching from behind.
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“Congrats to Max and Red Bull, but I honestly can’t say that without feeling for Lewis,” Ricciardo said.
“We’re all competitors, but you have to feel for him.
“Pretty dramatic end to say the very, very least.”
Ricciardo gave a vivid insight into what it was like during the frenzied finish to the race, sparked by a Nicholas Latifi crash at turn 14 of lap 53.
“I was watching the screens for 50-something laps and also I had blue flags for Lewis and it was a long time til I had them for Max,” Ricciardo said.
“I saw the incident and then the safety car and then (came the announcement) that lead cars won’t be able to pass or something … And then some passed and then I was behind Lewis and Max (having been lapped). And then (there was) a white-flag restart.
“I was just like, ‘This is a lot, this is a lot to take in right now’.”
The cars that passed Ricciardo on lap 57 were those of Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel.
Ricciardo picked up 12th in the controversial race and finished his first season with McLaren in eighth in the standings, registering 115 points.
McLaren teammate Norris finished the world championship in sixth, posting 160 points.
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