Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo says his team will take any engine that is offered to it so it can ensure its future on the grid in 2016.
At present Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda have all rejected proposals to supply the Milton Keynes based team, something team owner Dietrich Mateschitz says is because they’re “afraid we [Red Bull] would be faster than them”.
Meanwhile a proposed independent engine isn’t due to happen until 2017, leaving the team in limbo for at least one season.
However their current partner, Renault, is believed to have offered a potential lifeline which could see Red Bull using a version of its engine, but rebadged and co-developed by themselves and Mario Illien.
If that fails to materialise, Ricciardo is certain they would accept whatever lifeline is offered to them.
“I think we will take what we can get because we want to be racing,” the Australian is quoted by Autosport.
“Unless no one gives us an engine, that is the only thing that will stop us from racing.
“The vibe is that we still want to stay here,” he added. “The longer it gets, the more difficult it becomes but I probably have more confidence that we will be on the grid than I had before.”
Meanwhile Ricciardo denied Red Bull were playing the role of a ‘spolit child’ because of their recent complaints about Formula 1 and their situation.
“Some fans see it as being spoiled because now we aren’t winning we are complaining, but I don’t think it is excuses, we just don’t like losing.”