Midway through the Formula 1 season, transfer rumors surrounding Max Verstappen flared up once again. Amidst the sporting decline at Red Bull, the Dutchman was repeatedly linked with a move to Mercedes. Although he swore loyalty to the Austrian racing team, Verstappen was spotted on the yacht of Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff during the summer break. After the season, he explains what was really behind that meeting.
In his end-of-year interview with Viaplay, Max Verstappen was asked about the now infamous tête-à-tête with Toto Wolff in Sardinia. During the summer break, photos emerged of the Dutchman on the yacht of the Mercedes team boss. Observant Formula 1 fans also discovered that Verstappen’s boat was moored right next to Wolff’s on the Italian island.
Talking About Everything But Formula 1
“I had made it clear that I would stay with Red Bull,” said Verstappen. “But the fact that Toto (Wolff) and I were vacationing together didn’t really help,” he joked. According to the Dutchman, the meeting was purely coincidental. “I love Sardinia, he loves Sardinia. But when I arrived, I thought: ‘Oh shit’,” Verstappen laughed. “I waved at him, we had lunch together, and the kids played with each other. When you’re there, you talk about everything but Formula 1.”
“A lot has changed since 2021; we get along well,” Verstappen continued. “You can have nice conversations with him and with Susie (Wolff),” he explained. However, a collaboration did not materialize. Next year, the four-time world champion will honor his contract with Red Bull, while Mercedes continues with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen is contracted until 2028.
