He may share a garage with the reigning double world champion, but Mark Webber will still have an equal chance to win in 2012.
That is the news of Red Bull’s low-profile mogul Dietrich Mateschitz, who made a rare visit to a formula one paddock this week at Jerez.
Asked if Sebastian Vettel’s Australian teammate will have equal status this season, the Austrian billionaire insisted: "Absolutely.
"Both get the same equipment," he told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.
"The only change is that Mark has a new chief mechanic."
Mateschitz, 67, said the obvious target for Red Bull in 2012 is to win again.
"We really have no choice except to defend our two world titles," he insisted.
"Also Toro Rosso will have to improve; the team should be in the midfield and fighting for fifth place with Force India, Sauber and Lotus."