The popular Australian eight-race winner, who's expected to be ditched by his RB team before the next race in Austin, was hardly denying the rumours after Sunday's race, talking like someone resigned to his days in Formula One being over.

He sat in the cockpit of his car for a long time after finishing 18th on Sunday, admitting later: "A lot of emotions. I am aware it could be it. Just exhausted after the race, a flood of emotions and feelings and exhaustion. Just wanted to savour the moment."

But there was pride too in the 35-year-old's voice as he still produced one last reminder of his old excellence with the fastest lap of the day, an effort sympathetically acknowledged by the F1 fans who voted their old favourite the driver of the day accolade.

It was also much appreciated by his old Red Bull championship-chasing colleague Max Verstappen, who thanked him over his radio for nicking the fastest-lap point from McLaren title rival and race winner Lando Norris, which may yet prove crucial in the battle to be world champion.

"If Max wins by a point then I just guaranteed myself a nice Christmas present," Ricciardo beamed on Sky Sports.

To which, Verstappen responded cheerily: "He can ask for whatever he wants."

Ricciardo has had his struggles after moving to McLaren, then being dropped as they plumped for the rising talent of Oscar Piastri. This year, he's been outdriven by RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

"I always said I didn't want to come back (after McLaren) just to be on the grid - I wanted to fight at the front and get back with Red Bull," he recalled.

"It didn't come to fruition. I also have to ask myself the question of what else could I achieve and what else is there to really go for?

"I put my best foot forward and maybe the fairytale ending didn't happen, but I also have to look back on what it's been, 13 or so years. I'm proud."