There has been no official confirmation yet from the team and there is unlikely to be any until the FIA delivers the results of its investigation into what happened in Abu Dhabi.

Race director Michael Masi’s job is under threat, with Mercedes and Hamilton openly critical of what they see as inconsistent application of the rules. They are by no means alone in that and all the drivers are this week expected to meet with representatives of motorsport’s world governing body to discuss their thoughts.

The FIA has already admitted that Masi might be relieved of his duties, with the man leading the investigation, the FIA’s new head of F1 Peter Bayer, saying: “Michael did a super job in many ways. We told him that. But also that there is a possibility there could be a new race director.”

The entire race control operation is also expected to be beefed up with the FIA working on a new structure.

Bayer will submit his proposals for approval at a meeting of the F1 Commission on February 14.