Hamilton Verstappen "battle royale" doesn't need big-screen distractions - Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo has insisted the "battle royale" between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen doesn't need any big-screen distractions heading into the final race of the season.

The rivals head to Abu Dhabi level on points after Mercedes driver Hamilton took a dramatic victory at the controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where yet again the Briton and Verstappen allowed tension to rear its head.

It was the latest in a string of highly-intense events with both parties often engaging in verbal battles off-track as well as the action on-track.

Asked if he could understand why the battle was perhaps spilling over on occasion, McLaren driver Ricciardo replied: "I totally get it.

"We were on the grid and before the race started they were playing on the big screens all the highlights of Lewis and Max this year.

"If I was in their position, trying to get focused on the race, and you can things on the loudspeaker as well, that's an additional distraction they don't need before the start of a race.

"It's not my battle so I didn't really care but if I'm in a battle and you can't escape it, let alone trying to focus on the start of the race, maybe it's a distraction that would be a bit annoying.

"But again, of course, it's a battle royale so everyone is fully invested in it.

"It's the highest kind of pressure scenario, they're both equal points, so ultimately it's who wins next week will win.

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

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