Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo says he “doesn’t see the point in doing the next two races” after he suffered another car failure, this time at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Ricciardo entered the weekend having suffered seven retirements from races this season, as well as having had several other Grands Prix affected by reliability setbacks.
Ricciardo beat Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen to pole position but relinquished his advantage with a slow getaway, and dropped to third, behind the Dutchman and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
Mexican Grand Prix: Race Report | Championship Standings | Hamilton Feature
Ricciardo ultimately overhauled Hamilton and was undertaking a one-stop strategy in a bid to keep two-stopping Sebastian Vettel at bay.
But nine laps from home a puff of smoke was emitted from his RB14 as he entered the Foro Sol section and on the next lap he pulled to the side of the track.
“I don’t even think frustration’s a word anymore, everything just feels hopeless,” Ricciardo told TV crews after the race.
“I honestly don’t now, where I am, I honestly don’t see the point of coming on Sunday, I don’t see the point in doing the next two races.
“I haven’t had a clean race, weekend, in so long.
“I’m not superstitious or any of this bullshit but the car’s cursed… it won’t… I don’t know. No words.”
Ricciardo added: "I don't know, the car's… I'll let [Pierre] Gasly drive it. I'm done with it."
Ricciardo, who will leave Red Bull for Renault for 2019, has not finished on the podium since his victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.
