Ricciardo looked at Verstappen in Abu Dhabi: 'How is this happening?'

Max Verstappen managed to get past Lewis Hamilton on the last lap during the final race in Abu Dhabi last season to clinch the world title. Daniel Ricciardo can still enjoy the images.

Ricciardo made the switch to McLaren at the beginning of 2021. Whereas he needed time to get used to the team and the car during the start of the racing season, his performance slowly increased over the course of the year. Despite the strong performance of Lando Norris, however, McLaren failed to achieve third place in the constructors' championship.

The Australian did, however, sit in the front row to watch the battle between Verstappen and Hamilton. The two drivers were very close throughout the season and battled for the lead in the world championship until the last race. As a former teammate, he then enjoyed Verstappen winning the title.

The driver remembers well his surprise when Verstappen drove past Hamilton. "I was like, how is this happening!?", Ricciardo looks back in conversation with ESPN. "I was watching as a fan in 2008 [at the Brazilian Grand Prix], the last-lap drama with Massa and Hamilton. It was a lot to process."