Max Verstappen addresses secret Toto Wolff meeting rumours as Mercedes saga takes new turn

Max Verstappen has denied holding any secret talks with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after fans discovered that both F1 figures were spending their breaks ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix holidaying in Sardinia.

During the break between the British Grand Prix and this weekend's bout in Belgium, fake images of the Mercedes team principal boarding Verstappen's private jet went viral on social media, sparking rumours that secret meetings were taking place amid speculation of a move to the Silver Arrows. However, this has since been denied by both parties. Speaking at Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen said: "Well, I was swimming in the ocean at the time. I don't really care about those things.

"Because I went on holiday with my friends, my family. And when other people also are there at the same time, that can happen. I mean, there are more people on the island than just me and Toto and the family. If you go to the same island, that can happen."

Mercedes boss Wolff was shocked by the effort that those perpetrating the rumours went to. "What's new is that people are doing photo collages with airplanes," he told Austrian broadcaster ORF. "We've never had that before.

"But if you spend your holidays close to each other, it doesn't mean that you're going to work together in Formula One. We have always gotten along well, and by chance, we like to spend our holidays at the same places."

Verstappen's links with Mercedes have been the storyline that has captured the attention of the F1 community over the past few months, but Wolff revealed ahead of round 13 of the 2025 campaign that he plans to push ahead with a driver line-up of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

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"Discussions have been taking place over the last weeks and months, so they are all up to date," he explained. "The direction of travel is definitely that we want to continue with George and Kimi.

"That is the absolute priority. But you can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don't think there will be any big surprises."

This means that Verstappen is set to remain with the Milton Keynes squad for the start of the next technical regulations in 2026, giving new team principal Laurent Mekies the opportunity to provide him with a car capable of fighting for a fifth Drivers' Championship title.