It has been a frustrating couple of practice sessions for the Dutchman in Austria. Verstappen failed to get going in FP1 after twenty minutes of trying to get out of the pit lane, and finished in P4.

In FP2, the four-time champion repeated his P4 finish, but not without more frustration. He immediately returned to the pits upon session start citing a problem with his seat, the Red Bull mechanics checked the problem before sending him back out on track a few minutes later to finally get his session underway.

Then, Verstappen reported an engine issue at Turn 3, explaining he was suffering a noticeable drop in RPM on every push lap. A short while later, Isack Hadjar reported what appeared to be the same issue in the very same corner.

"Look what happened there on the apex of Turn 3 with the engine? That's what happens on the push lap as well. The drop in RPM, it's clear," Verstappen pointed out, while Hadjar later added "You see? This is the story of Turn 3 today. Like, what was that again?!"

Russell too ought to be frustrated with his FP2. The Briton could not get a proper lap in to rival teammate Antonelli's chart topping 1:07.014, ultimately finishing P6 six tenths behind the young Italian.

Perhaps it was both drivers' frustration that bubbled over in the incident between them, with Verstappen flipping the bird to his old Mercedes rival in the mid-section of the Red Bull Ring, as seen in a clip going viral on social media.

Meanwhile, Red Bull CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies has provided an update on Max Verstappen's future, revealing that the Dutchman has reaffirmed his intention to remain with the Milton Keynes-based team.

Speaking at Friday's press conference, Mekies said: "I think the last time I was in this press conference, I think I said that I’m not asking Max every week if he’s going to stay. Max has made clear to us that he wants to continue with the team.