Verstappen also outclassed the competition in Saturday's sprint race, after which he said on the team radio: "Well done Manning, great job there."

With rumours circling that the message could be a form of farewell from the reigning three-time world champion, Kravitz went to investigate, explaining on Sky Sports: "Michael Manning, the Irish engineer for Red Bull, was just outside the office and I said to him ‘Alright, Michael?’.

"I know he's been at Red Bull an awful long time. 'What's happening, are you off?' And he said 'No comment, that's confidential.' So is he there? Is he going to say hello to Manning? Where is Michael Manning? And if Michael Manning is off and he’s just not telling us then, well goodbye Michael Manning. Thank you and goodbye."