Daniel Ricciardo admitted a little disappointment after failing to score a final Red Bull podium in Abu Dhabi, coming home in fourth.
The Australian looked in good shape initially running third after Kimi Raikkonen retired with issues but staying out longer than those around him left him too much to do in the final 20 laps, finishing just two seconds behind teammate Max Verstappen.
“I’m alright,” Ricciardo said post-race. “It wasn’t the most exciting race, just a little bit it was fun.
“It [the strategy] put me out of reach with the leaders I don’t know if we had much of a choice, we could’ve pitted early and kept track position but it’s always hard to know, I think.
“Lewis pitted early and I didn’t think it would go to the end.
“Our pace advantage was strong at first but we probably just weren’t quick enough.”
It was the third straight near-miss on the top three after retiring from second in Mexico, finishing within a second of Kimi Raikkonen in Brazil and now another P4 at Yas Marina.
With his driving days with Red Bull now over, Ricciardo is looking forward to the final goodbyes and moving on by returning back Down Under.
“Thanks to Red Bull and the whole Red Bull family. I would’ve loved to drink out of my shoe but…maybe later,” he said.
“I’ll close everything off with Red Bull family with a few days in the factory and then start to initially get to know people at Renault. Then go home and switch off for a bit.
“It’s been a long season so I’m looking forward to going home and to talking to cows and the sheep for a bit where they talk sense.”
