Speaking to Blick, the former F1 chief reacted to a photo of himself and Christian Horner wearing Aston Martin gear, pointing out: “Another team that I should buy with Horner. But didn’t technical genius Adrian Newey leave Red Bull for Aston Martin because he didn’t want to work with Horner anymore?”

When asked which team would welcome the former Red Bull CEO and team principal, the English businessman’s answer spoke volumes: "I wouldn't rule out Ferrari! There is only chaos there. And boss Elkann is now even insulting his two drivers."

After twenty years of remarkable success, including 14 drivers’ and constructors’ titles, he left the Milton Keynes team last July, with Laurent Mekies — promoted from the sister team, Racing Bulls — taking over the role.

Since then, the Leamington Spa manager has stayed out of the public eye, offering no official statements about his possible next destination, while Mekies has reinvigorated the team, putting Verstappen back in a position to fight for the title after a challenging start to the season.

The four-time world champion, like many, admitted he was surprised by the news of Horner’s departure from Red Bull — the man who delivered the team’s first-ever title in 2010, famously edging out Fernando Alonso in the Abu Dhabi finale.

The former German driver made his return to the paddock in Brazil last weekend to unveil his new environmentally focused project, but naturally the media seized the chance to ask him F1-related questions, including his thoughts on Horner’s departure.