Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has pledged not to give up on the Formula 1 title fight until it's mathematically impossible for Max Verstappen to win, even after Christian Horner was fired as team principal.
In the first sign of the team's ambitions after ending Horner's 20-year tenure and appointing Laurent Mekies, Marko dismissed suggestions Thursday that the move might mark a shift of focus to 2026.
"Christian and I have worked together very successfully for over 20 years -- both in Formula 1 and in Formula 3000. I would like to sincerely thank Christian for that," Marko said in comments released by the team.
"During this time, we were able to celebrate an incredible number of outstanding achievements. We helped developed two World Drivers' Champions and several Grand Prix winners. That has always been -- and still is -- the Red Bull way.
"As for the current sporting situation: there are still twelve races to go, and we will continue to fight for the drivers' championship as long as it's mathematically possible."
It comes after Verstappen -- third in the standings, 69 points off the lead -- had seemed pessimistic about his title defense. Marko himself last month told Austrian TV the team might need to "write off" the title if things didn't improve.
There was no mention Thursday of the constructors' standings, where Red Bull is far adrift of McLaren.
Turning around a disappointing season is just one of many urgent demands facing Mekies on his first full day as Red Bull's new team principal.
"I look at this team as most outside look at them, we see the very best people in the world at what they do," Mekies said on Thursday.
"That's what this team is, even from being a competitor previously you look at Red Bull Racing as being the sharpest team, having managed to accumulate the best talent to work together.
"It is a privilege to join the Team and the focus will be on making sure all the talented people here have what they need to perform at their best, because they are already the very best.
"We are not underestimating the challenge ahead, we will need everybody and we will go about it together and I am sure with everyone's contributions we will tackle this challenge."