Max Verstappen and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff were seen together on Wolff’s yacht in Sardinia, Italy, sparking widespread speculation about Verstappen Mercedes future rumors within the Formula 1 community. The unexpected sighting on August 12 has ignited fresh debate about the driver’s potential move to Mercedes despite his recent commitments with Red Bull Racing.
The Sardinia meeting reignites questions about Verstappen’s next steps
Although Verstappen is currently under contract with Red Bull and recently confirmed he will remain with the team through the 2025 season, his quiet meeting with Toto Wolff during the F1 summer break revitalized theories around his possible switch to Mercedes. Verstappen sits third in the Drivers‘ Championship following the Hungarian Grand Prix, unable to invoke any exit clauses to change teams this year. Still, the closeness between the reigning four-time world champion and Mercedes’ CEO caught many off guard and renewed fan curiosity.
Social media users reacted instantly to the images of Verstappen and Wolff relaxing together in Sardinia. Among the responses were remarks expressing surprise and insinuations about secret negotiations:
“The scandal continues,” wrote one fan.
“pack it up yall we’re seeing max in merc for 2027,” wrote another user.
“So locked in for 2027 it’s not funny,” said yet another fan.
Additional comments hinted at distrust and ongoing concealed discussions between the parties:
“I knew toto is hiding something and he was lying,” said another fan.
“Situationship hit so hard that they had to get together to talk,” joked another user.
“Where there is smoke, there is fire,” alleged another fan.
Rumors regarding Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes have circulated for weeks, with Wolff previously admitting discussions with the driver about 2026 and beyond. Though Verstappen’s current decision keeps him at Red Bull for the time being, the possibility of a 2027 transfer remains a topic of intense speculation.
Verstappen acknowledges personal ties with Wolff amid professional speculation
Max Verstappen recently addressed the nature of his relationship with Toto Wolff, clarifying that while they maintain a personal connection, they do not have a professional one at this point. This statement came ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, aiming to quell rumors after the pair were coincidentally spotted on the Italian island of Sardinia before the British Grand Prix in July.
“I mean, there are more people on the island than just me and Toto and the family. So, yeah, if you go to the same island, it can happen,” said Verstappen. [via RacingNews365]
“You can have a personal relationship with someone even if you don’t have a working relationship with someone,” he added. [via Formula1.com]
Despite this explanation, their recent second encounter at the same location has fueled ongoing doubts among fans, who speculate that these meetings could be more than mere chance. Such suspicions are amplified by Verstappen’s desire to observe how team hierarchies evolve under new regulations, leaving the door open for a future switch to Mercedes.
Verstappen’s consideration of 2027 as a potential year for joining Mercedes aligns with Wolff’s longstanding interest, dating back to the boss’s early tenure in Formula 1 starting in 2015. For now, Verstappen remains focused on his current tenure at Red Bull, though the shifting F1 landscape means that Mercedes and its leadership remain closely linked to his future plans.
