Sainz and team-mate Charles Leclerc were forced to lift and coast early in the 24-lap sprint because Ferrari had gone too aggressive on cooling, which left Sainz exposed to Ricciardo in the fight for eighth.
After staring at Sainz' rear wing for over 10 laps, Ricciardo overtook the Ferrari twice into Turn 1 with the use of DRS, but the Spaniard then retaliated on the back straight by getting a better exit down the Senna Esses and picking up DRS himself.
"It certainly wasn't a boring race, so part of my fun box is fulfilled, but my frustration box is also very full," Ricciardo said about his early race fight with Sainz.
"Obviously had pace for points and every time I would pass Carlos, you then give them the DRS for Turn 2. I passed him, I felt like I got it done and then I just wave him by with DRS open.
"It's always been there but that detection seems kind of frustrating, so it kind of encourages you not to pass in [Turn] 1.
"I'll see if strategically I can make better moves tomorrow. But I felt like if I just sat behind him [in Turn 1] I was never going to pass, so I had to make it work."
To make matters worse his second botched overtake left him vulnerable against McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who nicked his position into Turn 8.
Source: Autosport