Summer 2025. On radar, a plane is descending towards Sardinia. The private jet of Max Verstappen lands on the Italian island where Toto wolff was incidentally enjoying a salty break between two Grands Prix. While the burning Sardinian sun was reflecting on the Mediterranean Sea, the team director Mercedes and the champion of Red Bull are immortalized in the middle of a discussion by the paparazzi. Rumors had already been swirling for several weeks about internal tensions within the Austrian team, which was also struggling on the track, far from the level of performance that had allowed Max Verstappen to win four titles in a row: an opportunity that Mercedes seemed to want to rush to seize to attract the champion into its nets. This yacht trip therefore seemed to have established the beginnings of a common future between the Red Bull driver and the Brackley team. De facto, this would have compromised the future of rookie Kimi Antonelli, the most likely to be pushed aside to make way for the legendary Dutchman.
Verstappen – Russell: Birth of a dangerous rivalry
Such a scenario would have paved the way for an explosive duo between George Russell (Mercedes) and his arch-rival. A likely bleak prospect for the Briton, who has clashed—sometimes too closely—more than once with the fierce defending champion. Their tumultuous history has its roots at last year’s Qatar GP, after initial tension at the 2023 Azerbaijan GP following contact on the first lap of the sprint race. In qualifying at Losail, Max Verstappen was investigated for driving slowly to disrupt George Russell’s lap. He was then given a grid penalty, following his rival’s complaints to the race stewards. I’ve been in that [commissaires’] meeting room many times during my career, with people I’ve raced with. I’ve never seen someone try to harm someone else so much., Verstappen hammered. I lost all respect for him. »
He then allegedly threatened to deliberately hit the Briton during the race, according to the Mercedes driver, who was based in Abu Dhabi, a few days after the Qatari incident. A threat that would be carried out a few months later at the 2025 Spanish GP. Whenever things don’t go his way, he gets unjustifiably angry and borders on violence., the former pilot was indignant. Williams in Abu Dhabi last December. We saw it in Brazil in the past with [Esteban] Or with (which he pushed several times in the Parc Ferme after a collision during the race, Editor’s note). We saw it in 2021 with Lewis [Hamilton], in Mexico with Lando Norris (Verstappen received two 10-second penalties for aggressive defenses on the driver McLaren, Editor’s note). Then in Budapest, when he didn’t have the most powerful car, he crashed into Lewis Hamilton, violently criticizing his entire team. » The atmosphere was therefore frosty at the annual pilots’ dinner in Abu Dhabi, the two men royally ignoring each other, each sitting at opposite ends of the table.
Verstappen threat materializes in Barcelona
While the fire between the two competitors seemed to be nothing more than embers, the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix brought back an aggression that we thought had calmed down. After the race was neutralized following Antonelli’s engine failure, Max Verstappen was on hard tires at the restart, struggling to find his rhythm while his rivals on track were running on soft tires. George Russell then tried to overtake the world champion but was unable to do so, Verstappen leaving the track to protect his position. Asked by his engineer to give up the position, he braked, let Russell pass, before suddenly accelerating and deliberately hitting the #63 W16. A less than fair gesture, he would later admit.
Such a tandem would therefore have proved to be dazzling, likeAlain Prost and Ayrton Senna, admits the Mercedes team principal. The prospect of such chaos has chilled the Austrian. “SIf you have a Russell/Verstappen duo, it’s a bit like Prost/Senna, right? ” asked Wolff.
Max Verstappen will (still) not go to Mercedes in 2026
Toto Wolff has long been banking on the Dutchman. As early as 2014, he wanted to recruit him into Mercedes’ junior program. An offer rejected by Verstappen, who at the time decided to move forward with Red Bull. Wolff was once again forced to abandon his project this summer, at least for the time being. The title holder’s contract actually runs until 2028. The Viennese driver said he was currently satisfied with his squad. All of this is rather, let’s say, ambitious and unlikely ideas. I want to stay with Kimi and George as they are now. ” he confessed at the Belgian GP. This conversation ” had to [nevertheless] take place ” defends the team director. The Mediterranean meeting between the two men was therefore more of a private matter, Wolff revealed: ” It was more on a personal level.he says. We didn’t really discuss major sports topics during the summer. “We have the right to doubt it…
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At a time when Max Verstappen can mathematically achieve one of the best comebacks In sports, Toto Wolff is temporizing. I think you always have to stay down to earth and humble.” he qualifies. The Austrian notes, however, that the fight for the title is still open. He had a good run. The car is good, and Max Verstappen, you always have to be wary of what he can achieve. Especially if he sees that it’s possible again, concedes Susie Wolff’s husband. It’s a crapshoot. » The title holder is still sixty-nine points behind Oscar piastri, leader of the championship. Such a comeback would border on a miracle, but everything could still change.