Ralf Schumacher has suggested that Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff are holding secret talks in Sardinia as speculation mounts over the Red Bull driver’s future.

The four-time world champion is contracted to Red Bull until 2028 but has been the subject of interest by Mercedes.

If the Dutchman were to complete a switch it would create an explosive partnership with George Russell.

But Mercedes may have been handed a blow in their pursuit with the sacking of Christian Horner on Wednesday, with some suggesting the 27-year-old could now stay put.

While Verstappen has enjoyed a solid relationship with the former Red Bull principal, his father Jos Verstappen publicly called for his departure after a heated feud last year. 

Although Horner has overseen eight Red Bull drivers’ championship victories, the team have struggled this year, with Verstappen 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri. 

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And Ralf Schumacher has suggested that Verstappen is still set to leave Red Bull at the end of the season.

Schumacher claims Verstappen will announce his decision ‘during the summer break’ and that secretive talks between Mercedes principal Wolff and Verstappen are being held in Sardinia. 

‘It’s no coincidence that two boats are sailing off Sardinia this week,’ he told the Formel1.de YouTube channel.

‘One belongs to Toto Wolff, and the other to Max Verstappen. I could imagine them having a coffee together sometime.’

Following Schumacher’s comments, Verstappen private jet was reportedly tracked to the Italian island.  

Mercedes principal Wolff refused to rule out a move ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix last month.  

‘I can imagine every line-up,’ he said. ‘I had Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fighting for a world championship, so everything afterwards is easy.’ 

He added: ‘As a team principal responsible for the best car brand in the world it is clear you’re exploring what a four-time world champion is going to do in the future.

‘What we are trying to do in the team is be transparent. You can choose to hold things under wraps, or do what we’ve done in the last 20 years I’ve been here is putting it out there and saying this is the situation. 

‘These drivers are clever people and they talk to each other. I’m saying it how it is and there’s no such thing as saying we are going to sign Max, because it’s so far away that it’s not realistic at that stage. So with George, we talk about everything.’ 

Verstappen has tried to play down speculation.

When asked if talks were taking place with Mercedes, he said: ‘I don’t think we need to talk about that. I don’t know, do you want me to repeat what I said last year? I don’t know. It’s the same answer.’