Daniel Ricciardo says he does not care whether Red Bull has Mercedes or Ferrari power next season after the "torture" of 2015 with Renault's uncompetitive engine.
Red Bull and Renault's relationship has broken down this season and looks likely to end in a split one year before the end of its contract. With a Mercedes engine deal looking unlikely, Red Bull is hoping to secure a works Ferrari deal for 2016.
Ricciardo has scored just one podium this season, a far cry from his three wins in 2014, and he does not care about the badge on Red Bull's engine next year - as long as it is more competitive than Renault's current package.
"My preference is whatever is fastest," Ricciardo said. "At the moment with the badge it doesn't change - 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.
"For sure [Ferrari] would have some objections. But as I said it does not change much, if it gives us a better chance to win, I don't really care what it is at this stage. The torture has gone on so long - and obviously we have had a pretty long year right now, that not only me as a driver but us as a team, we just want something that will see us on the podium more often. Give us what we deserve as a group."
However, Ricciardo doubts a Ferrari power unit would immediately cut the gap to Mercedes.
"I'm sure it would be closer. In some races we've been close to Merc - so to think if we had another engine that we might be there. But then in other races when they are 1.5 seconds in front it is hard to say an engine is going to give us all that. There is always the question mark of what comes with more power. More recovery at your disposal to use? Time we will tell. In April next year we will see the real deal of whatever we've got and see if it has worked."
Ricciardo has an Italian passport and, when asked how he would keep the relationship with Ferrari positive were Red Bull to start winning with its engine next year, he joked: "I'd probably have to start doing a bit more in Italian to keep them on my side, or to keep them happy with us winning! We will see."