Former Australian Formula One star Mark Webber says Daniel Ricciardo risks falling out of love with the sport as his engine woes contribute to a miserable end to his Red Bull days.

And Webber, a former Red Bull driver, predicted Ricciardo faces another two years of pain, saying his switch to Renault next season is “weird”.

Ricciardo could not hide his frustration after suffering his eighth retirement of the season at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend after a brilliant qualifying performance to claim pole.

He threatened to hand the “cursed” car over to incoming Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly.

Webber said he was concerned the gloomy finish to Ricciardo’s fifth and final season with Red Bull was taking its toll on the normally ever-smiling Australian.

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“I think it’s quite obvious he can’t wait for the season to be over, which is a little bit of a concern,” Webber said. “I don’t want him to fall out of love with the sport.

“I just think that really tests your mettle. He’ll be questioning the sport in his head. There’s not too many people to put an arm around your shoulder. Only the tough survive and he knows that.

“He’s got to buckle up and keep going if he wants to bounce back with Renault next year. He’s made his bed over there with Renault, which I think is a weird decision, but that’s what he wants to do because he wants a change of environment.

Play Video The Aussie acted out in frustration by his latest mechanical failures. The West Australian Video The Aussie acted out in frustration by his latest mechanical failures.

“But it really can test how much he actually is enjoying the sport.’’

Ricciardo announced in August he was quitting Red Bull at the end of the season to join Renault on a two-year deal. As his season has crumbled, it appears Ricciardo has been caught in the fall-out from Red Bull’s messy separation from engine supplier Renault after reliability issues.

Webber said he could not believe Ricciardo’s run of bad luck but it was inevitable after mid-season news of a driver switch.

“It’s always a tricky scenario,” he said. “It’s like still living with your wife, but you are divorced. It’s a very awkward scenario to be in.”