Helmut Marko’s presence remains one pillar keeping Verstappen grounded at Red Bull, but contractual escape routes are already in place. One clause reportedly allows Verstappen to exit if he’s outside the top three in the standings by mid-season — a possibility that’s swung wildly across the first five rounds.

Red Bull has formally ruled out launching a right-of-review petition against Max Verstappen 's decisive five-second time penalty in Formula 1's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.