Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo says Renault needs a change of direction if it is to continue as an engine supplier in 2016.
With engine options slim for 2016, Red Bull looks set to continue with Renault for at least another year, although the deal has yet to be finalised. Since the introduction of new engine regulations in 2014, Renault has struggled to compete with Mercedes and Ferrari, meaning Red Bull has fallen out of championship contention. Ricciardo says something needs to change if Renault is to return to winning ways next year.
"It is definitely obvious that they have some work ahead of them," Ricciardo said of Renault. "Pretty much everyone has turned us down [for 2016], but I don't think that they are out of the picture. We will see what happens. We put the [latest] D-spec engine in the car in Brazil and it didn't really show a whole lot, so there would need to be some change of direction [for 2016]."
The D-spec engine was the first to feature performance-based upgrades this year, but Red Bull reported very little improvement after running it alongside an older-spec engine in Daniil Kvyat's car. Ricciardo will revert to the older engine this weekend, which he believes will give him the best chance of a good result.
"I think so, at least it is something that we know and Danil's weekend [with the previous spec engine] wasn't too bad in Brazil. At least it is even, and there is no 'He's got this and he's got that'. So put both in the car and then neither of us has any reasons to complain or make excuses."
Asked if the Brazil update could form a good basis for next year, Ricciardo said: "I'm not sure. There can be a lot, but in terms of where or what I am not sure. We are choosing not to run it this weekend. I think it is something that will need time. Whether they try and refine that or start something completely different, I have no idea."