Daniel Ricciardo has hinted his stint at RB could be over for now, saying he does not want to "play the sad story" as his F1 exit looms after the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Australian faces being benched with six rounds of the current season to go, as Red Bull looks to assess the viability of handing Liam Lawson a full-time RB drive in 2025.
If he is sidelined, it is believed Ricciardo will remain in the joint team's driver pool, so his time in F1 may not be completely over yet.
However, his difficult grand prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit will not have aided his chances of immediate survival. The Australian qualified P16 and was last of the runners come the chequered flag.
He did claim the fastest lap, to help Max Verstappen and Red Bull in their title fights, but P18 and last on the road will likely not see him survive until the United States Grand Prix.
"I don't want to say it's sad news or anything," Ricciardo told Viaplay. "I look back on it, and I'm also very, very grateful to not only have made it in the sport, but to have stayed here for so long and 250-something races.
"So, if it is to be it, I don't want to play the sad story - it's been fun."
When asked if that means he will not race in Austin, he replied: "There's a chance you will not, but let's see.
"Texas is my home away from home, away from home, so you never know. Obviously, we know some official decision will be made.
"I expect it soon," he said of the decision from Red Bull, before adding: "Now the weekend's gone, probably not too much will drag on anymore."
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Ricciardo spoke of the "relief" that comes with finishing in F1, as well as his pride in what he has achieved.
The 35-year-old has claimed eight career grand prix victories and remains one of the most popular figures F1 - and was a major draw in Netflix series Drive to Survive, which saw the series vault to global popularity.
"I came back into the sport after the McLaren stint to try and get back to the top, to try and get back to Red Bull Racing and fight again for wins," reflected Ricciardo.
"Obviously, it hasn't come to fruition, but I put my best foot forward, and that's okay. We're trying to be the best in the world at something, so it's not an easy task.
"Inevitably, the day will come for all of us when F1 is done and it's over. I think there is obviously some sadness, because a lot of memories, but also some relief, because it's very physical, it's demanding.
"The environment isn't always easy, so there's always two sides to it, but I'm just proud and that's most important. And yeah, let's see what happens."
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