Verstappen and Wolff enjoy a yacht getaway in Sardinia - once more.

      "Was it unexpected for Max to decide to stay?"

      Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff were recently seen vacationing together on the Mercedes team principal's yacht in Sardinia, marking their second sighting together this summer. As reported by Italy’s Autosprint, the Red Bull driver was described as "a welcome and amused guest" aboard Wolff’s Mangusta boat in Cala di Volpe on the Costa Smeralda, while Charles Leclerc was spotted separately on the pier.

      This latest meeting follows Verstappen’s public confirmation that he will remain with Red Bull, putting an end to speculations about a switch to Mercedes in 2026. However, it is understood that his management has secured an option for him to leave after the next season if the next-generation car does not perform competitively.

      Former Haas team principal Gunther Steiner shared with WEB.de: "Was Max’s decision to stay surprising? No, it’s a strategic choice. Max is aware that he has the option to exit Red Bull at the end of 2026, providing him with maximum flexibility. If Red Bull is strong, he’ll be in a good place; if not, he’ll evaluate other teams and have the ability to switch. If Mercedes performs well starting in 2026, Max can secure a multi-year contract there. A long-term move now would be riskier," Steiner noted.

      Regarding Leclerc, he mentioned that the summer break allows him to step away from Ferrari's track difficulties. "It’s vital to have your own space," he stated. "Nowadays, there are very few places where I can truly be myself, living like an ordinary person with my family. I can escape when we take a brief vacation on a boat, distanced from everything and everyone, surrounded only by my loved ones. That’s where I know I’ll have time to relax with my family, my dog, and my girlfriend – that’s where I feel content."