24/07/2025 18:35
Max Verstappen has explained rumours suggesting that he met
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff for a meeting in Sardinia.
Verstappen's and Wolff's boats were spotted alongside each other in
a port at the Italian island, leading to speculation that the pair
had decided to meet in secret to discuss 2026. Across recent
weeks, the four-time world champion has been heavily linked to
Mercedes and a possible move for the start of the new power unit
regulations next year. The Dutchman is known to have several exit
clauses in his contract, some of which can be activated at some
point this summer. However, speaking to media, including
RacingNews365 , ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix,
Verstappen rejected claims he met the Austrian in Sardinia.
Verstappen stressed he simply visited the island for a holiday with
friends and family, with it being entirely a coincidence that Wolff
just so happened to be on vacation at the same island. Asked about
the rumours of meeting Wolff in Sardinia, Verstappen joked: "I was
swimming in the ocean. "I don't really care about these things
because I went on holiday with my friends, my family, and when
other people are also there at the same time, yeah, that can
happen. "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." Rumours of Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes
have cooled in Belgium, following a major indicator by Wolff that
it would retain Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Verstappen has
remained silent on the matter , and insisted nothing has changed
despite the exit of Christian Horner.
