Verstappen dismisses Mercedes speculation once more.
Max Verstappen has once again downplayed ongoing rumors linking him to Mercedes, asserting that he has made his stance clear amid renewed speculation following his recent GT3 test. In an end-of-year interview with Viaplay, the Red Bull driver addressed the Mercedes rumors that resurfaced earlier this year after he was seen vacationing with Toto Wolff.
"You don't hear anything about it now because I have clearly stated that I'm staying," Verstappen said, acknowledging that he understands why the rumors escalated in 2025. "Our vacation together didn’t help, of course," he joked.
Verstappen described their much-talked-about meeting in Sardinia as mere coincidence. "We were on vacation. I enjoy Sardinia, and he enjoys Sardinia," he clarified. "It wasn’t planned; we just ended up there. At some point, you know the nice locations."
Upon spotting Wolff's yacht nearby, Verstappen immediately foresaw the potential fallout. "I arrived and thought, 'Oh sh*t'," he chuckled, realizing the implications.
Soon after, photos of the two together surfaced. "Of course, you wave to each other, and we went to lunch. The kids were playing together," Verstappen explained. "You can follow the boat's movements, so yes, that’s also part of it."
During that time, Wolff had been openly praising Verstappen, while George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were still without contract clarity, leading to speculation that Mercedes wanted to keep its future options open for 2026.
Verstappen emphasized that his relationship with Wolff is not new. "We’ve maintained good contact for a long time," he said, acknowledging that 2021 put a strain on their relationship. "When you’re together, you discuss a lot of different topics, even beyond Formula 1. We also get along well."
He noted that people often misinterpret such interactions. "Many assume it’s always about your contract when you talk to another team principal," Verstappen remarked. "Apparently, people think that this is not allowed or possible."
For Verstappen, the explanation is straightforward. "I think I'm a bit more relaxed in my life now," the 28-year-old concluded. "It’s important to enjoy vacations and have some fun."
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