Max on the Move? Verstappen’s Holiday Rendezvous with Wolff Raises Eyebrows Across the F1 Paddock What seemed like a friendly break may carry major implications – as talk of Verstappen joining Mercedes intensifies, his vacation meeting with Toto Wolff has everyone in Formula 1 watching closely.
Verstappen and Wolff could meet for a coffee this week
MAX VERSTAPPEN and Toto Wolff have both been spotted on holiday in Sardinia with the pair set to meet up.
On Friday, Verstappen’s private jet was tracked touching down on the Italian island in the wake of Christian Horner’s Red Bull sacking on Wednesday.
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Red Bull star Max Verstappen has been spotted on holiday in Sardinia days after Christian Horner was sacked
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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was also spotted on the same Italian island, with the pair set to meet up
Further tracking showed yachts owned by the four-time world champion and Wolff both off the coast of Sardinia with F1 not back in action until the Belgian Grand Prix on July 27.
This comes after former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher predicted the Dutchman will meet with the Mercedes boss for a “coffee” this week.
The Sky Sports Germany pundit, 50, said: “I think it’s pretty clear what Max wants.
“GT3 is something he’s passionate about. Mercedes is also launching a new car in that category soon, so right now, it doesn’t feel like the odds are great for him staying.
“I think on Sunday, it hit him that even he can’t save this anymore – and that really affected him. After the race, it was obvious to me.
“And once you feel like something is beyond saving, it’s hard to come back from that.
“It’s no coincidence either that this week, two yachts are cruising off Sardinia – one belongs to Toto Wolff, the other to Max Verstappen.
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Ralf Schumacher predicted the Dutchman will meet with the Mercedes boss this week for a ‘coffee’
“And from what I hear, there’s a good chance they might have had a coffee together.
“But what defines Max is that he won’t take this decision lightly. He knows exactly who he owes his career to – besides himself and his father, of course – and that’s ultimately Red Bull, the team that brought him to where he is today.”
Wolff confirmed at the Austrian Grand Prix two-weeks ago that he had held talks with Verstappen over his future.
Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028 but there is a break clause in his deal if he does not finish in the top three by the summer break.
The chaos at Red Bull hit new heights when Horner was sensationally axed three days after Silverstone, after a run of woeful results and a year on from his ‘sexting scandal’.
After Horner was dismissed following 20 years in charge, Verstappen wrote on Instagram: “From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes.
“Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!”
However, it’s thought that Verstappen will sit tight until 2027 to weigh up which team has come out on top following next year’s new technical regulations.
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Verstappen’s team principal Christian Horner was sacked by Red Bull this week
