'I'm crying': Shaquille O'Neal's F1 photo sends fans into frenzy
There was plenty of drama at the United States Grand Prix, but many fans were stunned seeing the bizarre image of Shaquille O'Neal standing next to Lewis Hamilton on the podium.
Max Verstappen held off Hamilton to win a dramatic GP, while Aussie Daniel Ricciardo accused of a 'dirty' act during the race.
'STUPID IDIOT': Verstappen-Hamilton feud ignites at US Grand Prix
'NO ONE CRACKED': Moment McLaren won over Daniel Ricciardo
Verstappen extended his lead in the Formula One world championship after winning Sunday's race, despite title rival Hamilton passing him on the first corner.
A number of sport celebrities were at the GP with tennis icon Serena Williams and former NBA star O'Neal making their presence known.
When it came to standing on the podium, O'Neal had the honour of awarding the Top 3 with their prizes.
And fans couldn't get over just how tall O'Neal was as he stood next to Hamilton and Verstappen.
Some F1 fans had fun with the photo.
Who did this?! ๐#USGP ๐บ๐ธ #F1 @SHAQ pic.twitter.com/vJZnPmbdhW
โ Formula 1 (@F1) October 24, 2021
A valiant effort by Shaquille O'Neal to finish 2nd in this year's #USGP pic.twitter.com/uTJz7eudA3
โ Michael G ๐ (@Odaekim) October 24, 2021
#F1 #ShaqAttack #USGP #USAGP
Everybody: No, Shaq, please!
Shaquille O'Neal: pic.twitter.com/zEdFMc0qxEโ Peter (@PPDeluXe1) October 24, 2021
Congratulations to Shaquille O'Neal on the 1st place finish. Amazing race! pic.twitter.com/7mfbpIzIS3
โ ben (@f1fan1655) October 24, 2021
Shaquille O'Neal taller than Lewis even with him on the podium ๐ pic.twitter.com/KvqPgHLFWC
โ Maria J. Verdugo (@MariaJesusV) October 24, 2021
Great to see Shaquille O'Neal getting his first F1 win, fair play to Max for presenting the trophy. Friendly competition. pic.twitter.com/tsCo7t7nVw
โ James Gilbert (@EmperorGilbert) October 24, 2021
i canโt believe shaquille oโneal won the united states grand prix pic.twitter.com/vG9sOJWi9a
โ katie ๐ชด๐ณ๏ธโ๐๐๐๐ (@sebvettelthings) October 24, 2021
Shaquille O'Neal being taller than Lewis and Checo๐งโโ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/nislrDrc4a
โ tatumยนโถ๐งโโ๏ธ||CHARLES NOTICED (@f1maxleclerc) October 24, 2021
Can't believe Shaq turned up and won the USGP ๐๐#F1 #USGP ๐บ๐ธ pic.twitter.com/GehHPioNjC
โ CRASH.NET/F1 (@CRASH_NET_F1) October 24, 2021
I'm cryin shaq is the same height as them on the podium pic.twitter.com/gm8LIq2yf1
โ n๐ (@ricciardough) October 24, 2021
The 49-year-old stands at 216cm tall, or 7'1 feet tall.
He still towered over Hamilton who stands at around 5'8 or 171-174cm tall.
Max Verstappen extends lead in drama-filled race
The Dutchman used pit-stops to get back out in front and now appears the championship favourite with five races remaining this season.
Defending champion Hamilton overtook pole-sitter Verstappen at the start, with the 24-year-old going off the track momentarily in an epic opening to the latest enthralling instalment in one of the best F1 title battles for years.
But Verstappen undercut the Mercedes driver with an early pit-stop and just hung on after both boxed a second time to win by 1.3 seconds.
Red Bull's Mexican driver Sergio Perez finished third in front of a crowd of 140,000 spectators at Austin's Circuit of the Americas.
Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari while Ricciardo finished fifth for McLaren.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
