Championship leader Nico Rosberg saw his lead over Lewis Hamilton reduced to just 12 points with just one race to go, but labeled himself content with his second place finish.
In a chaotic race marked by rain-hit treacherous conditions and two interruptions, the Mercedes squad kept its cool with Rosberg choosing a rather cautious management of his driving behind his out-of-reach and victorious team mate.
"It didn't go my way today, Lewis just did great job," Rosberg said on the podium.
"It was very difficult conditions out there, but I can live with the second place today."
On the second restart Rosberg conceded P2 to a daring Max Verstappen but the German would later regain the position when his Red Bull rival made the ill-fated choice to pit for intermediate tyres.
With several drivers crashing out or spinning, Rosberg had a big moment of his own, enduring a half-spin on the exit of Turn 13 on the run up the hill, but without dire consequences fortunately.
"With the aquaplaning, you just don't feel the limit of the car. Max did a great job but I'm glad it worked out with the strategy to beat him."
The Mercedes driver was also relieved when Red Bull made the wrong strategy call by pitting both Ricciardo and Verstappen for intermediates.
"I can't afford to take the risks that they take because they are just going for the win. I was confident however that staying out was the right thing for us to do, especially because they had predicted more rain at that point. So I was actually glad that they tried that strategy."
All in all, Rosberg believed the chaotic race had been called correctly by the stewards.
"It was on the limit, but in the end they got it right. They did a good job judging but it was quite a fine line out there.
FULL REPORT: Hamilton wins delayed Brazilian GP to take title to wire
Silbermann says ... I'm going AWOL
Romain Grosjean column: Time for Haas to raise its game
FEATURE: What Rosberg need to do to win the title in Brazil
INTERVIEW: Fernando Alonso: Why F1 is no longer just for heroes
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…
Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…
Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…
Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…
Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…
The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…