Korean GP: Brake problem to blame for Toro Rosso's retirements

The Australian had run as high as fourth during the first stint of the race after starting on the medium-compound tyre and was set to claim two points when he was pitched off the track at Turn 3 with less than three laps to go.

The problem, which is also believed to have led the team to calling team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne into retirement, resembled the one that cost Ricciardo eighth place in the closing stages of last year's Yeongam race, although he was able to struggle home ninth on that occasion.

"Coming down to Turn 3 with a few laps to go, I braked and the car immediately shot to the left," Ricciardo told AUTOSPORT.

"When I got out, I saw the front-left brake duct and calliper is hanging off, so it's obviously broken.

"It could have been a repeat of last year's [problem], in a points position with a few laps to go."

While frustrated at losing points with the issue, Ricciardo was happy with his race performance.

Toro Rosso struggled with the car all weekend and he had started 12th, but having capitalised on the first-lap confusion caused by Felipe Massa spinning his Ferrari at Turn 3, he jumped to seventh.

But while he would have left Korea with points, Ricciardo does not believe that would have been representative of the pace of the car.

"Personally, I am really pleased with my performance in the car today," he said. "I am not sure we had a top 10 car but we really did make the most of it and were fighting in the top 10 for the majority of the race.

"I'm pleased but it's frustrating that the team didn't get rewarded."