The Formula 1 world is upside down after recent photos by Max Verstappen, who, together with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, was spotted on a luxury yacht in Sardinia during the summer holidays of 2025. The images, which appeared on X on 13 August via AutoSprint, have speculations about Verstappen’s future at Red Bull. With a contract until 2028, Verstappen seems to be a fixed value at Red Bull, but his relaxed gathering with Wolff, on board his hunt Mangusta, has brought fans and analysts into a rudder. The timing, in the midst of Red Bulls changeable performance and internal tensions, makes this meeting all the more intriguing.
Verstappen, the triple world champion, has achieved six victories this season, but Red Bull is struggling with challenges. After a dominant start in 2025, with victories in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the team has difficulty keeping up with McLaren and Mercedes. The RB21 car lacks speed on some circuits, and internal struggles, such as the disagreement around team boss Christian Horner and the switch from technical director Adrian Newey to Aston Martin, have clouded the atmosphere. Verstappen himself has publicly expressed his frustrations, in particular about the cars in Hungary and Belgium, where he finished fifth and fourth respectively. Posts on X reflect the unrest, with fans who wonder if Verstappen is considering his future elsewhere, especially now that he openly flirts with a rival like Mercedes.
The meeting with Wolff, who was photographed while he laughed with Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet on the yacht, has put the rumor machine in overdrive. Wolff, known for his strategic approach in the rider market, has never put under chairs or benches that he admires Verstappen. “Max is an exceptional talent,” said Wolff earlier this year in an interview with Sky Sports F1. The photos, shared by outlets such as The Irish Sun and Mirror F1, show a relaxed Verstappen, topless in the sun, while enjoying the hospitality of Wolff. Some X users, such as @Formulau16, found the situation “hilarious” but also significant, especially since Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was also spotted in the neighborhood, which reinforces the speculations about a possible transfer carousel.
Although Verstappen has repeatedly stated that he was loyal to Red Bull, which supports him since 2016, the uncertainty within the team can be felt. The recent contract extension of Sergio Pérez until 2026 has evoked mixed reactions, with critics who point to his inconsistent performance. In the meantime, after a difficult 2024, Mercedes has shown a strong revival in 2025, with George Russell who won three races and Lewis Hamilton who is still competitive. The possibility of a free chair in 2027, when Hamilton’s contract ends, makes speculation about Verstappen to Mercedes plausible. “This is no coincidence,” wrote a fan on X, referring to the hunting meeting. “Toto plays the long game.”
Yet analysts warn of exaggerated conclusions. In interviews, Verstappen emphasizes that he appreciates stability and a winning car above all. Red Bull’s recent upgrades, tested in Zandvoort for the Grand Prix of the Netherlands on 24 August, show that the team is determined to fight for the title. Nevertheless, the meeting with Wolff remains a PR moment that makes Red Bull nervous. “They have to keep Max satisfied,” noted an insider in an article by GP Fans NL. “If he feels that the team cannot give him what he needs, anything is possible.”
For fans, the situation is both exciting and nerve -racking. Verstappen, who is received as a hero in Zandvoort, is under pressure to lead Red Bull to a fourth driver’s title. His interaction with Wolff, no matter how innocent, has shifted the dynamics in Formula 1, with teams that reconsider their strategies before 2026 and then. While De Paddock is preparing for the resumption of the season, one thing remains for sure: Verstappen remains the center of attention, both on and next to the track. His future, for now at Red Bull, is in the balance, and the hunting meeting with Wolff has warned the Formula 1 world that nothing is guaranteed.
