Given Mercedes’ years of dominance, Daniel Ricciardo believes that Max Verstappen would be a more popular World Champion than Lewis Hamilton, but “may the best man win” this year between them.
Only six points separate the two World title contenders coming into Austin this weekend.
Because Verstappen would be a first-time World Champion, Ricciardo believes that would be a more “pleasing” outcome with fans than Hamilton extending his impressive track record in the turbo hybrid era.
However, the McLaren driver said that the spectacle of the two going hammer-and-tongs all year has been fascinating to sit on the sidelines, and that he hopes the title fight will be decided on the track rather than by external factors such as retirements.
“I think just kind of ‘may the best man win’,” Ricciardo told reporters when asked about this year’s title fight.
“The rivalry they’ve had this year has been pretty awesome, as a fan. I think they’ve left it all out there. So from that point of view, I think they are where they are, I think it’s fair at the moment in terms of they are nip-and-tuck. So no preference.
“I think obviously people do like to see a fresh face, so maybe Max is the more popular vote because it would be a first title for him and it’s something new and exciting for everyone. So that’s always like you’ve got that feel-good story.
“But I think as long as no like misfortune is involved, then I think the guy that wins is the one that’s going to deserve it.”
Meanwhile, Lando Norris, Ricciardo’s McLaren teammate, has decided to sit on the fence between the two drivers due to his differing allegiances.
“I think it’s just a bit far away now,” he joked of his own title chances, quoted by Crash.net. “I don’t mind. Obviously I support Lewis as a Brit, but I’m also good mates with Max.
“So I just think whoever wins has done the best job. They’ve been very equal all season, so may the best man win. That’s it.”
The Circuit of the Americas, which hosts the upcoming event in Texas, has been a stronghold for Hamilton in recent years, with the Mercedes driver winning five of the eight races held there.
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