Red Bull has not written off Mark Webber despite his struggle to live with his teammate Sebastian Vettel in 2011.
While Vettel, 24, has raced to a certain back-to-back title with nine wins so far this season, Australian veteran Webber has failed to win a single grand prix.
But even though there might be question marks about his motivation to again take on the young German next season, Red Bull has signed up Webber for another campaign.
"Well, he’s still motivated enough to beat anybody except Sebastian," team boss Christian Horner told F1’s official website.
"It seems all too convenient to underestimate Mark when comparing him against Seb. But that is definitely a huge mistake. Mark is undervalued right now."
Also not writing off 35-year-old Webber is Bernie Ecclestone, the sport’s chief executive.
"That Sebastian is better than Mark we know by now. But who is there who is better than Mark?" wondered the Briton.
"I think it is not right to belittle Mark. In context, driving with Sebastian, he hasn’t got the easiest of jobs, because in my view Sebastian is the best driver on the grid right now."