Dr Helmut Marko has confirmed new Red Bull Racing driver Pierre Gasly will not be the "second driver" at the Milton Keynes-based team.
With Max Verstappen's stock in Formula 1 growing by the minute, many would have predicted Gasly's arrival would mean the Frenchman would be the Dutchman's "number two driver" at Red Bull.
Gasly will drive for Red Bull for the upcoming season, with the young driver impressing for junior side, Toro Rosso, in 2018.
The 22-year-old will replace Daniel Ricciardo as he prepares for a new chapter in his career story at Renault.
"He will not be a second driver," Marko insisted to Auto Bild. "We do not do that at Red Bull. Max took the next step last season and Daniel Ricciardo noticed that, but he will give Gasly the time he needs.
"My feeling tells me that he is closer to him in qualifying (than Ricciardo was), which is pretty normal for a debutant."
Gasly revealed last week that he would not be happy to become Verstappen's 'number two' at Red Bull.
READ: Gasly does not want to be "number two" at Red Bull