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'I'm crying': Shaquille O'Neal's F1 photo sends fans into frenzy

Shaquille O'Neal (pictured middle) standing next to Lewis Hamilton (pictured left) and Max Verstappen (pictured right) at the US GP.
Fans couldn't believe Shaquille O'Neal (pictured middle) was taller than F1 star Lewis Hamilton (pictured left) while the British star was standing on the podium. (Images: Twitter)

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

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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.

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

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