But Verstappen did indicate his position by admitting that his liking of an Instagram post by ex-F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, who wrote that Red Bull’s decision was “closer to bullying or a panic move,” was not a mistake or an accident. “I liked the text,” Verstappen said. “I guess that speaks for itself, right?”

Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson have switched rides, as Red Bull Racing hopes to keep its F1 Constructors' Championship hopes alive. Tsunoda comes to this week's F1 Japanese Grand Prix having not yet driven Red Bull’s RB21.

Tsunoda was promoted to Red Bull’s senior team a week ago in place of Liam Lawson. The two drivers were teammates at RB’s junior F1 team Racing Bulls for the final six races of the 2024 season. After Red Bull Racing moved on from Sergio Perez at the end of the season, Lawson got the call to jump up instead of Tsunoda.