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.

In his first public appearance since his Red Bull Formula 1 promotion, Yuki Tsunoda isn't shying away from lofty ambitions at his home race in Suzuka.