Max Verstappen spotted on Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff's yacht after Red Bull decision

Max Verstappen was spotted paying a visit to Toto Wolff on the Mercedes chief's yacht this week. Both have spent time off the coast of Sardinia on holiday during the summer break in the Formula 1 season.

It is not the first time that there have been suggestions that the two have met in secret while spending time away from the race track. It was only a few weeks ago that images circulated on social media supposedly showing Wolff stepping onto Verstappen's private plane, though it quickly became clear that those photos had been faked.

However, new images have now emerged showing the two of them together on a luxury yacht. One of them shows Verstappen, topless and wearing a white towel with dark stripes on his lower half, stood next to Wolff dressed head-to-toe in white, in conversation and laughing.

It is understood that these images are genuine and that Verstappen and Wolff have indeed met while holidaying together close to the Mediterranean island. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has also been spending some time in the area, though has not been pictured with Verstappen or Wolff.

The meeting of the two comes after months of speculation that Verstappen could quit his Red Bull team to join Wolff's Mercedes outfit. The Austrian is a known admirer of the Dutchman, having tried but failed to sign him as a promising teenager long before he went on to become a four-time F1 champion.

Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, though it is an open secret that his deal contains performance clauses which, if not met, would allow him to leave early. One such clause was active this year, but expired with the start of the break and was not triggered.

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Verstappen confirmed ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix earlier this month that he would stick with Red Bull for the 2026 season. But that only came after he had already amassed enough points to make it mathematically certain that he could not drop below third place in the championship before the summer break.

It has been suggested that he would have needed to be fourth or lower in the standings for that clause to become active. Regardless, it is understood that the 27-year-old was not seriously considering leaving Red Bull this year, preferring to bide his time and wait to see what the balance of power on the grid looks like next year when new engine and aerodynamic design regulations come into force.

In the meantime, though neither has a Mercedes contract for 2026 yet, the team is expected to retain its current line-up consisting of team leader George Russell and rookie starlet Kimi Antonelli. But it will be interesting to see what length of contract is agreed with both of them, given both are pushing for long-term extensions but Mercedes want to keep their options open in case Verstappen does become available next year.

The Dutchman had made it clear he does not plan to stay in F1 for as long as many others before him have, and will want to spent as much times as possible in the quickest car he can find. He has managed to win two Grands Prix this year despite Red Bull's drop in competitiveness, but could have his head turned if they fall out of contention for victories altogether next year.