Daniel Ricciardo's sad admission about Formula One title fight

Daniel Ricciardo says he's a little jealous of Formula One rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, ahead of the pair's winner-takes-all duel in the final Grand Prix of the season.

Australia's McLaren driver admits he will be just like the rest of the motorsport world - transfixed by the extraordinary F1 title battle between Mercedes' seven-time world champion Hamilton and Red Bull's Verstappen, who is looking to win his maiden world title.

'NOT APPROPRIATE': Mercedes pulls pin on 'disgusting' sponsorship deal

'NEED A MIRACLE': Red Bull's staggering confession in F1 title fight

'F***ING CRAZY': Lewis Hamilton blasts Max Verstappen in F1 mayhem

The two drivers will lock horns under the floodlights in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to see who'll be crowned 2021 champion, with both going into the season finale equal on 369.5 points in the drivers' championship standings.

It's the first time in 47 years that such a scenario has unfolded going into the year's final race and Ricciardo sees it as "a dream scenario" for a sport often criticised for being too predictable.

"It's what you hope for every year in this sport, you want a battle like this," said Ricciardo, echoing the feelings of millions who've watched Hamilton and Verstappen doing battle - with increasing acrimony - over a compelling season.

"You have got the veteran record holder on the one hand (seven-times champion Hamilton), and then the youngest-ever winner (Verstappen) on the other.

"It is a really cool battle and it is a great story. Obviously they are going toe-to-toe, and it is a real genuine battle.

Ricciardo says while not couldn't be a more exciting end to the year for m motorsport fans, the 32-year-old is envious that he's not involved in the title fight.

"I have some envy not being a part of it - but ultimately for the sport and as a fan of the sport, it is a dream scenario."

Things have become spicy on track between the two title combatants, which has even raised the hair-raising scenario that the destination of the title could even be decided by a collision between the two - not an unknown outcome in F1 annals with so much at stake.

But even though the war of words was ramped up to new levels in Jeddah with Hamilton accusing Verstappen of being "over the limit" in his racing aggression, Ricciardo doesn't see it as an issue.

"It is the highest pressure scenario as they are both on equal points," Ricciardo said.

"It's cool - and as a fan, it is awesome. Just when you think Netflix can't get any more exciting!"

Daniel Ricciardo tried to follow title battle mid-race

Ricciardo actually admitted that, while battling down the field to finish in a credible fifth place in Sunday's incident-strewn race, he'd tried to keep an eye out on what was going on up front in the duel which was eventually won by Hamilton.

"Sometimes I try to follow the race from the cockpit on the big screens but it wasn't easy in this one," said Ricciardo, admitting the high-speed circuit hadn't been ideal to do anything other than concentrate 100% on the road.

Ricciardo gets on well with both the contenders, having been a competitive teammate for Verstappen at Red Bull from 2016-2018 and he knows the Dutchman has one key advantage, having won nine races to Hamilton's eight.

It means the Briton has to get points on the board while Verstappen could even take the title if Hamilton has to retire. If both crashed out, it would work in the younger man's favour on count-back.

But Red Bull, smarting a little at the perception that Verstappen has an uncompromising reckless streak, believe that he will win the title 'clean'.

"He's a hard racer but a fair racer, and I expect no different this weekend," team boss Christian Horner said in the Times.

"Nobody wants to win this championship in a gravel trap or in a stewards' inquiry.

"I think, for all the fans, you want to see a fair and clean fight in this last round and may the best team and best driver win."

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.