The Frenchman’s stint in Milton Keynes lasted just six months, with a fourth-place finish as his best result, before he was shown the door in Belgium and replaced by Alexander Albon.

Reflecting on his Red Bull stint in an interview published on Formula 1’s official website, the Frenchman admitted: "I'm not going to lie, it was sad. 2019, my second year in Formula 1 – there was no support from anywhere, in a very big team which is very much supporting Max (Verstappen) – for good reasons, because he's put on the results.

Gasly then enjoyed a second lease of life after returning to Toro Rosso, claiming a sensational podium in Brazil later that year following a dramatic drag race to the line with Lewis Hamilton, before going on to secure his first-ever Formula 1 victory at Monza the following season.

Asked how he took the demotion back to Toro Rosso, Gasly added: "It almost felt like a relief," while acknowledging that being bombarded with questions about it in Belgium was “not a nice energy — I’m there to do my thing and try to give my best, but it’s a lot of negativity. I go through that. I just want to drive.”

Following the Horner era, which came to an end this summer, Red Bull has also closed the chapter on Helmut Marko — the man who, over the past two decades, discovered countless talents but also oversaw the demotion of many of them, Gasly included.

The Austrian confirmed to GPblog that his departure was a voluntary step back, contrary to reports circulating elsewhere, with Red Bull also confirming to GPblog that Guillaume “Rocky” Rocquelin has become the primary point of contact for its Junior Team.

But who exactly is Rocky? Here’s a closer look at his career.