Daniel Ricciardo removes F1 references from Instagram in latest indication of inevitable axing
Daniel Ricciardo has removed all references to F1 from his Instagram bio, as uncertainty around his RB drive continues to linger.
Although confirmation has yet to come from anyone connected to Red Bull, much to the chagrin of fans, the Singapore Grand Prix was believed to have been Ricciardo's final race.
The 35-year-old old Aussie seemed resigned to the fact his F1 career was all but over when doing the media rounds after Sunday night's race, and that he was "at peace" with the possibility.
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Confirmation of his axing was expected to come on Monday, but still hasn't come at the time of publication on Wednesday morning (AEST).
Daniel Ricciardo is believed to have driven in his final F1 race. Getty
But in another telling move, Ricciardo has removed all references to F1 from his Instagram bio, leaving only a link to his Enchanté clothing range.
He has not posted about the Singapore Grand Prix at all. The most recent post was from a tourism partnership with the Western Australian Government, and his last F1 post from after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said in Singapore Ricciardo remains a part of the team's "bigger picture" for the future.
Daniel Ricciardo has removed all references to F1 from his Instagram bio. Instagram
"We've now got a period of time where we'll evaluate all of the relevant performances of the drivers. It's a natural break in the season to reflect on that," he said.
"There's a bigger picture beyond Daniel."
But such is the acceptance Ricciardo would be replaced by Liam Lawson from the US Grand Prix, members of his RB team gave him a guard of honour as he returned to the hospitality unit following Sunday's race.
That Red Bull haven't confirmed his axing has angered fans, accusing the team of dragging F1's most popular driver along longer than necessary, and also not giving him the dignity of a formal final race.
In a nice coincidence, Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue was F1's guest to wave the chequered flag at the end of the Singapore GP.
The US Grand Prix is on the morning of October 21 (AEDT).
