It is yet unclear whether any action will be taken against Verstappen, other than reports that officials are ‘seeking an explanation’ from the Dutch driver.

Verstappen was penalised for exceeding the track limits when overtaking Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari for third place.

Afterwards a furious Verstappen slammed ‘one idiot steward’, and that they ‘killed’ the race. He also urged fans not to attend next year's event.

"It's just one idiot steward up there who makes the decisions against me," Verstappen said.

"[He was] also in Mexico [in 2016, when Verstappen was penalised]. Now I get a five-second penalty and a penalty point, for what?"

When pressed during a television interview with Will Buxton, Verstappen did not name the 'idiot' official but admitted his christian name started with the letter G.

Later on television, Buxton revealed the identity of the official as Garry Connelly during an on-air conversation with a fellow journalist.

Garry Connelly AM is one of the world's most senior and experienced motorsport officials and holds several high ranking FIA posts.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner defended his driver’s outburst, even suggesting that Verstappen handled the demotion ‘with great dignity’.

“…but I am not going to be drawn into personal issues with stewards," Horner said.

“I think that he has the right to express himself. In any sport, emotions run high and that is part of what sport is. If he said he was happy with that decision, I would be amazed.”

Verstappen has refused requests from the FIA to meet with Connelly to clear the air, saying that ‘I don’t have anything to explain’.

“You can sit down with each other and talk for hours, but it doesn’t change anything.”

Verstappen also said the FIA should consider a new approach to stewarding, with his penalty having caused such a backlash from fans.