Max Verstappen to Mercedes? Meeting with Toto Wolff fuels Red Bull exit rumours
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher added fuel to the rumours while talking to Formel1.de:'It's no coincidence either that this week, two yachts are cruising off Sardinia — one belongs to Toto Wolff, the other to Max Verstappen. From what I hear, there's a good chance they might have had a coffee together.'More fire was added to the situation when flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 showed Verstappen's private jet landing on the Italian island around the same time Wolff was also seen in the area.Speculation over Verstappen's future had already been growing due to Red Bull's declining car performance, which has cost the Dutchman several podiums this season — from going P1 to P5 at the British Grand Prix, to having issues with the car during qualifiers at the Austrian Grand Prix. Verstappen's frustration has been visible throughout the season.The rumours gained more weight after it was revealed that George Russell's contract with Mercedes has not yet been renewed. During the Austrian Grand Prix, neither Russell nor Wolff denied that talks with Verstappen may be underway.Though Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, there is a critical clause allowing him to exit if he's no longer in contention for the championship — a clause that has come into play after the British Grand Prix.Schumacher believes Verstappen won't take the decision lightly. As Mercedes can create his future and Red Bull has made him what he is today, he also highlighted the fact that Max's father will have a huge role in this decision.'What defines Max is that he won't take this decision lightly. He knows exactly who he owes his career to — besides himself and his father, of course — and that's ultimately Red Bull, the team that brought him to where he is today.'Schumacher further added that he thinks the turning point came during the British Grand Prix.'I think on Sunday, it hit him that even he can't save this anymore and that really affected him. Once you feel like something is beyond saving, it's hard to come back from that.'With a long future ahead in Formula 1, Verstappen will have to make one of the most crucial decisions of his career. Will Red Bull convince their hero driver to stay, or will Toto Wolff's magic bring Verstappen into the Silver Arrows and turn him into the face of Mercedes' next chapter?- Ends
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