Ricciardo "envious" of Hamilton Verstappen F1 title fight

Daniel Ricciardo has conceded to being "envious" of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton's F1 title fight last season.

Verstappen came out on top in the most dramatic of circumstances after a year-long fight with seven-time champion Hamilton that came down to the final lap in Abu Dhabi.

Ricciardo has never been involved in a title fight despite racing for Red Bull between 2014 and 2018, with Mercedes often well ahead.

Given the opportunities being provided by F1's new era beginning this year, Ricciardo was asked in an end-of-season interview including GPFans whether the battle up front made him hungry to reach the same level with McLaren, the Australian replied: "Of course, I'm envious.

"But I've been envious for eight, nine years. It's nothing new, but of course, it's exciting the thought of it.

"For me like everyone, I'm a fan, I'm a driver, but I'm still a fan of the sport. It's been great and take the envy aside, it's awesome for F1 to have the battle.

"I can't recall a year where two guys found themselves side by side on so many races.

"I feel like 75 per cent of races they'd gone wheel to wheel at some point, so it's pretty awesome.

"Of course, I wish I was part of it, but again, just for the sport and it's been a while Lewis has been taken to this water, if you will, taken out to this, what do you say, deep waters.

"It's nice and you've also got... I know Max is not the young buck anymore, but he's still that young generation, and obviously, Lewis is now one of the oldest guys on the grid, but it's cool to see both ends of the spectrum go at it.

"From a fan point of view, it [was] awesome."