Abiteboul: Of 20 drivers only one is talking about the engine

Verstappen has made no secret about his dissatisfaction with the TAG-Heuer badged Renault PUs, publically ridiculing them and openly declaring that Honda will match if not beat Renault next year when they power his car.

Clearly, in response, Renault chief Cyril Abiteboul did not mince his words when talking to Sky F1 in Sochi, "I'm a bit frustrated by the fact that out of the 20 drivers, only one is talking about the engine."

"It's a bit strange. - I don't know what game Red Bull are playing. We only have six more races, and then that will be the problem of someone else."

He also told reporters, "In general I think Max should focus on the car. We do have driveability concerns and therefore it was clear that the engine introduced for Max wouldn't have been able to do all the races."

Verstappen had engine issues on his way to second place at the Singapore Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Clearly, the two parties are merely marking time before they go their separate ways after the season finale in Abu Dhabi later this year.

However, that has not stopped the frequent headline-generating salvos between the feuding partners or ex-partners or whatever they are right now.