It was only the second time he has failed to finish this season and so far, he has three wins and finished eighth or better in the past 15 races.
But the popular 25-year-old Duncraig driver was never in the hunt in Brazil.
He started from ninth on the grid, had a spirited battle with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso for a while on the circuit where track temperature reached 49C, but never came close to the front-runners.
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg ended up winning from teammate Lewis Hamilton.
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Brazil’s Felipe Massa incurred a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, but still finished a popular third in his Williams.
Ricciardo still retains his third place in the driver championship, with just one race left this season.