The German newspaper Bild has spoken with people within the Formula 1 team of Mercedes and with an update on the alleged secret meeting between reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff on the Italian island of Sardinia.
Since a few weeks it has been completely hot in Formula 1: the future of Verstappen and the possible switch from the Dutchman to the Mercedes team in 2026. In Canada, George Russell told that he has not yet received a new contract from Mercedes for 2026 because his team boss Wolff has “running discussions” about a transfer in 2026.
A few weeks later a message came out from Italy stating that Verstappen had agreed to an offer from Mercedes and therefore would like to leave the Red Bull team. Only the board of directors of the German car manufacturer had to agree with the deal, Sky Sport Italia was able to report.
Green light from Verstappen and Meeting with Wolff in Sardinia
Subsequently, La Gazzetta Dello Sport, the largest sports newspaper in Italy, was announced that Mercedes’ Big Boss, Ola Källenius, would have given the green light for the arrival of Verstappen and therefore a lump sum payment could be consulted with Red Bull. Verstappen is still under contract with Red Bull up to and including 2028 and his contract should therefore be bought by Mercedes if they want the reigning world champion in their team in 2026.
The most recent rumor that is circulating is that Verstappen and Wolff have discussed their plans for the future in Sardinia. On social media, the two men with their private jets had flown to Sardinia and then lay side by side in the harbor with their yachts. A few days earlier, Ralf Schumacher, who was more often right in the past with regard to Red Bull cases, already reported this information to Formel1.de.
‘Pure coincidence’
However, Bild knows that there was no coffee moment, as Schumacher called it, took place between Verstappen and Wolff in Sardinia. That the two gentlemen were in Sardinia at the same time while there is so much going on about the Formula 1-Tougomach of Verstappen is purely coincidence according to ‘Sources from Mercedes circles’.
“Pure coincidence, according to sources around Mercedes, the two did not even meet each other in Sardinia,” said Bild.
