Ricciardo started from pit lane after he and Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel were excluded from qualifying for violating front wing rules.
Ricciardo started behind Vettel based on lap times from the third practice session.
Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth while teammate Sebastian Vettel was eighth in his final race for Red Bull. Photo: Getty
He then climbed 16 places to finish just 37 seconds behind race and 2014 championship winner Lewis Hamilton, just eight seconds off the podium, and set the fastest lap of the race.
“I think it was pretty much a faultless race from all sides, from the strategy, to myself and the pit stops,” Ricciardo said.
“Everything was good so we did everything we needed to.”
Wow that was a pretty fun race 😊 firstly big congrats to the new WC @LewisHamilton well deserved a top season! As for us I thought we made..
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) November 23, 2014
.. the most out of our pitlane start and charged from start to finish to take 4th place to cap off an amazing season. Had a blast this year!
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) November 23, 2014
Vettel finished eighth in his final grand prix for the team he won four world titles with.
Ricciardo finished third on the drivers standings and was the only driver other than the Mercedes pair to score race victories in 2014.
“It’s been pretty much a perfect season, as perfect as it can be without holding a world title, so no real regrets, no complaints,” he said.
“It’s nice to not only start the season well, but to finish it well also and I think all the way through it was good — we had a strong summer as well, so the start, middle and end were pretty good!”
And finally for now thank you @alo_oficial for the helmet swap! Enjoyed racing wheel to wheel with you this year 😊👍 pic.twitter.com/IvO1uD6jvC
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) November 23, 2014
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner joked that the team shouldn't bother with qualifying and start from the back of the field in every race.
“It’s not too bad is it? Maybe we will just give up on Saturdays,” Horner told Autosport.
“It would be a lot less stressful.
“I have to say that it was an unbelievable drive from Daniel. He was quick throughout, with some great overtaking moves.
“It was a drive that epitomised his season — and the year ended exactly how he started it.”
Ricciardo will drive for Red Bull in the two day post-race test at the Yas Marina circuit.
OVERALL STANDINGS:
Drivers:
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 384 pts - world champion
2. Nico Rosberg (GER) 317
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 238
4. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 186
5. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 167
6. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 161
7. Felipe Massa (BRA) 134
8. Jenson Button (GBR) 126
9. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 96
10. Sergio Perez (MEX) 59
11. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 55
12. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 55
13. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) 22
14. Romain Grosjean (FRA) 8
15. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 8
16. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) 2
17. Jules Bianchi (FRA) 2
Constructors:
1. Mercedes 701 pts
2. Red Bull 405
3. Williams 320
4. Ferrari 216
5. McLaren 181
6. Force India 155
7. Toro Rosso 30
8. Lotus 10
9. Marussia 2