Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing RB11 at Formula One World Championship, Rd12, Italian Grand Prix, Race, Monza, Italy, Sunday 6 September 2015. © Sutton Motorsport Images
“My preference is whatever is fastest,” Ricciardo said in Singapore. “At the moment people say Mercedes, Ferrari, what would it be? Whichever is going to give us the better chance of victories right now is what I want.”
Red Bull have generally struggled to match rivals Mercedes and Ferrari this season - Ricciardo's podium appearance at Marina Bay was only his second of the year - and the team have laid much of the blame at the doors of engine suppliers Renault.
The strained relationship between the two parties means it is still unclear whether they will see out their contract to the end of 2016, or whether Red Bull will use an alternate power unit next season. For Ricciardo’s part, he simply wants clarity on the matter - and consistently strong results.
“If it gives us a better chance to win, I don’t really care what [engine] it is at this stage,” continued the Australian. “The torture has gone on so long and obviously we have had a pretty long year right now - not only me as a driver, but us as a team.”
Red Bull, world champions between 2010 and 2013, have fallen down the order since 2014’s introduction of the 1.6-litre turbo engine formula. Though Ricciardo scored three Grand Prix victories last year, this season he and team mate Daniil Kvyat have rarely troubled the top three.
“We just want something that will see us on the podium more often and give us what we deserve as a group,” concluded Ricciardo.
Red Bull lie a lonely fourth in the 2015 constructors’ standings, behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Williams, while Kvyat and Ricciardo are seventh and eighth respectively in the drivers’ table.
