Stroll junior would likely be given a comfortable position within the team in the result of a potential sacking, but the removal of the 26-year-old from a full-time seat with his father's team would go down as one of the most brutal moves in F1 history.

With both drivers signed-up for F1 2026, team boss Andy Cowell spoke of the positive effect which this is having on their preparations for F1’s new era – Aston Martin a team to watch – potentially closing an avenue for Russell, who is looking to secure his future on the grid.