Max Verstappen recently spoke about the rumors about Mercedes and his growing relationship with Toto Wolff. After meeting each other during the summer in Sardinia, the Red Bull driver explained how an unexpected party was interpreted as too much.
Speculation about Verstappen's relationship with Mercedes increased during this year's European Championship. Red Bull's poor form, coupled with uncertainty over the Mercedes driver's contract, has given further credence to the rumours. George Russell admitted that Mercedes will explore all options to go back to the front, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli continues to wander through a difficult rookie season in research.
This situation worsened during the summer break when Verstappen and Wolff were photographed in Sardinia. Despite the fact that Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, the pictures again talk about the possibility of a switch. Speaking, Verstappen explained how the meeting went.
“I made it clear that I was sitting (at Red Bull) that me and Toto were close to each other during the break and it didn't help,” Max Verstappen said. Viaplay. “I love Sardinia, he loves Sardinia, I came and thought, 'Oh shit.' I waved his hand, we went to eat together, the children were playing together. Whenever you are there, you talk about many things besides F1.
Even Verstappen He also reflected on how his relationship with Wolff has evolved since the controversial 2021 chapter.
“That you can be healthy at 21, a lot has changed since then,” he said. “You can have a good conversation with him and Susie.”
Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton entered the final round of the 2021 Abu Dhabi race on points, with the British driver controlling most of the race. However, the timing of the car that ended with six laps to go changed the result. Race management only allowed the five late cars between the two drivers to clear themselves before the restart. This allowed Verstappen to overtake Hamilton on the new tires and win his first title.
Mercedes presented two protests after that, both rejected, again Toto Wolff made several speeches after that which carries over to the next season. Max Verstappen dominated the game, winning the world championship four times in a row. Meanwhile, Mercedes, tried to return to her title. The balance of power has shifted, and with it, the tone between the former rivals.
Susie Wolff, however, maintained her opinion about that race. She was in the past declared that Lewis Hamilton was “the best driver” on the day in Abu Dhabi.
Toto Wolff has revealed why the pursuit of Max Verstappen is a “concern” for Mercedes
The incident in Sardinia also prompted thoughts from Toto Wolff himself. Back in October 2025, the head of the Mercedes team admitted that his public efforts to join Max Verstappen at the beginning of the year had unsettled his own team, especially at a time of contract uncertainty.
“The truth is, you have to learn from mistakes,” Wolff said Sky Sports. “There was no flirting on purpose, it was just a balance. It was obvious that you needed to have this conversation and then we ended up in the same place in the summer, which obviously didn't go well and it was confusing for everyone.”
Wolff later clarified that familiarity and mutual respect in the paddock can easily go wrong. Kimi Antonelli agreed with that imagination took over during his most difficult rookie season.
Mercedes was quick to put things right. Both George Russell and Antonelli have been signed to extensions through 2026, with a total of several years running into 2027. Along the way, the response has been strong. Russell posted the best season of his F1 career with nine pole finishes, while Antonelli claimed three. As for Max Verstappen, he finished the campaign two points away from his fifth title, after winning six of the last eight.
Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar
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