Is it better to be an engine customer of Mercedes or Ferrari?

Listen to this article

Engines have made Formula 1 headlines ever since the sport introduced V6 turbo power units ahead of the 2014 season.

Since then, only Mercedes has scored pole position and the marque has dominated the series; winning both world titles in 2014 and a repeat result this season appears more than likely.

Red Bull, the team that won eight championships in four seasons between 2010 and 2013, is thought to be trying to engineer a switch to Mercedes engines for 2015 as the team continues to be frustrated with its current power unit supplier Renault.

If Red Bull and Renault do part ways and the Milton Keynes team uses Mercedes power next season, the German manufacturer will have a rival that could regularly challenge it own squad for F1 wins.

While such a scenario would make life difficult for the Mercedes works team, having a marketing power house like Red Bull adding to its win tally would not be not such a disaster for the Mercedes board.

The alternative would be Ferrari power.

But what is it like to be a customer of these two manufacturers?

Here we take a look at the results enjoyed by Mercedes in F1 history, particularly since 2000 – both as a works team and as just an engine supplier – and compare it to Ferrari.

Total points scored as engine manufacturer:

Mercedes: 6728.14

Ferrari: 7467.27