Why Toto Wolff did not meet Max Verstappen in Sardinia despite ‘messages’ from Red Bull driver’s camp

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Toto Wolff and Max Verstappen both holidaying in Sardinia sent the F1 driver market rumour mill into overdrive with Mercedes looking to sign the Red Bull racer for 2026.

Formula 1 is enjoying a brief break prior to the August summer shutdown with a three-week gap between the British Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix. So, Mercedes team principal Wolff and Red Bull star Verstappen both chose to moor their yachts off the coast of Sardinia.

Naturally, the two F1 powerhouses visiting the same island at the same time sparked claims that Wolff and Verstappen met in Sardinia to discuss a move to Mercedes. In particular, Ralf Schumacher was convinced that it was not a ‘coincidence’ they chose the same destination.

But Mercedes insist that Wolff did not meet Verstappen in Sardinia, despite the 53-year-old having confirmed at the recent Austrian Grand Prix that the Silver Arrows are targeting him. Wolff’s admission followed George Russell revealing Mercedes are in talks with Verstappen.

The timing was not right for Toto Wolff to meet Max Verstappen in Sardinia

Mercedes want to know if Verstappen is open to joining the Brackley bunch as they are still yet to offer Russell or rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli new contracts for the 2026 F1 season. It is also possible that Verstappen leaves Red Bull via an exit clause in his terms through 2028.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

But Motorsport.com now reports that Wolff and Verstappen did not meet in Sardinia as ‘the conditions are not yet right’ to negotiate the 27-year-old’s potential transfer to Mercedes. It would also be far easier to hold talks in private in Monaco as they live less than a mile apart.

The ingredients to fuel the F1 driver market rumour mill were there, however, as Mercedes are holding off on giving Russell a new contract until they know whether Verstappen would use his Red Bull exit clause if he is outside the top three in the 2025 standings this summer.

Additionally, the Verstappen camp are actively ‘sending messages’ about the possibility that the four-time reigning F1 drivers’ championship winner quits Red Bull after the 2025 season. Verstappen is currently third in the drivers’ standings, but he is only 18 points above Russell.

Max Verstappen has provisionally agreed to a contract to join Mercedes in 2026

Another reason why the claims emerged that Wolff would meet with the Red Bull driver in Sardinia was the suggestion that Verstappen has provisionally agreed to a contract to join Mercedes in 2026. Wolff is now willing to replace Russell if Verstappen can leave Red Bull.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff

Mercedes would need Russell to outscore Verstappen by 19 points across the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, which will feature an F1 Sprint, and the Hungarian Grand Prix for the Red Bull pilot’s release clause to become valid in the summer. Verstappen would hold any tiebreaker.

F1 goes to Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian GP weekend on July 25-27, before heading on to the Hungaroring for the Hungarian GP on August 3. The two rounds will offer a total of 58 points, which could also be the key to Verstappen’s future being at Red Bull or Mercedes.