The Formula -1 World has buzzed with rumors since Max Verstappen and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff were both seen in Sardinia, with their yachts off the coast of the Italian island. Speculation about a possible change from the four -time world champion to Mercedes reached a highlight when it turned out that Verstappen had flown to Sardinia, while Wolff’s yacht was also nearby. Fans and media speculated about a secret encounter between the two that could determine the future of Verstappen in Formula 1. Now Kelly Piquet, the partner of Verstappen, has created clarity about the reason for her stay in Sardinia about Instagram, and she has pressed speculation about the two yaches and an alleged meeting with Wolff.
In the past few days, the flight and sailing movements of Verstappen and Wolff Food have served for speculation. According to F1 insiders, both Verstappen and Wolff had planned a generally reliable source on the two racing weekends in July 2025 in Sardinia. Verstappen’s yacht, which the lion unleashed, was already close to the island’s coast, while Wolff’s yacht, which was previously left, was also close. This led to wild stories about a secret encounter, which was powered by the former driver Ralf Schumacher, who was interviewed in an interview with Formula 1. This suggested that the existence of both yachts could not be a coincidence. Nelson Piquet Jr., the brother of Verstappen, even threw oil on the fire by unveiling in a podcast that talks were already held between Verstappen and Wolff in 2026.
Kelly Piquet, who is usually careful before her private life, decided to stop the rumor mill with a series of Instagram posts in which she revealed the real reason for her stay in Sardinia. In her stories, she shared photos of a “mini phenomenon” on board, who publish the lion with pictures of herself, stappen and her daughter Penelope, who enjoyed the Mediterranean sea. Piquet emphasized that the couple simply used the free weeks so that the Belgian Grand Prix could relax and spend time with his families. “No secret meetings, no contract discussions, only sun, sea and family,” she wrote in an accompanying caption with which she immediately invalidated the speculation about meeting Wolff. She added that the probability of Wolff’s presence in Sardinia was nothing more than that: a coincidence.
Piquet’s comments come at a time when the Formula -1 paddock is full of uncertainty about the future of the future. The four -time world champion, who still has a contract with Red Bull by 2028, is under pressure due to the disappointing performance of the RB21 in 2025. The team is just the fourth in the constructors championship and internal unrest such as the dismissal of team boss Christian Horner and the departure of key figures such as Adruand. Mercedes, led by Toto Wolff, is seen as a serious candidate for Verstappen in 2026, mainly due to the promising prospects of the new W16 car according to the upcoming regulations. Nevertheless, Verstappen remains vague over his plans. During the Great Britain’s Great Britain, he said that his focus was on the upcoming races and that he will make a decision about his future during the summer break.
The presence of the two yachts in Sardinia was quickly interpreted by fans and media as a sign of negotiations. Social media like X bubbled the theories with users who followed the movements of Verstappen’s private jet, and came to the conclusion that a short stop on the island should give a meeting with Wolff. Ralf Schumacher added: “There are two boats in Sardinia, one of Toto Wolff and one of Max Verstappen. I can imagine that they drink coffee together.” This comment in combination with the confirmation of Nelson Piquet Jr. The fact that discussions took place caused a media tower. But Pique’s latest contribution emphasizes that the situation is much easier. She pointed out that Sardinia is a popular destination for prominent people for Formula -1 and that the proximity of Wolffs Yacht is not an indication of professional discussions.
Piquet’s open reaction also illuminates her role in Verstappen’s life. The Brazilian, the daughter of Triple World Champion Nelson Piquet, usually kept in the background, but occasionally shares a look at her private life. At the beginning of this year she accidentally announced the gender of her second child – a girl, Lily who was born in April 2025, and spoke in a rare interview about her relationship and plans for the future, including a possible wedding. In her recent contribution to Sardinia’s holidays, she shows that she consciously tries to alleviate the rumors and concentrate on her family life, and not speculation about Verstappen’s career.
For Red Bull, the riots in Verstappen are an additional challenge in an already turbulent season. The resignation of Horner after allegations of inappropriate behavior and tensions with Verstappen’s father Jos brought the team into an uncertain position. Laurent Mekies, the new team manager, faces the task of maintaining the trust of Verstappen and bringing the team back to the top. In the meantime, Mercedes with Wolff at the top remains an attractive option for Verstappen, especially in view of her experience with new regulations and the chance to go with young talents such as Kimi Antonelli. However, the sources are close to Verstappen, including his management that he wants to remain loyal to Red Bull, provided the team can become competitive again.
The formula -1 community remains divided through the situation. Some fans see a move to Mercedes as a logical step for Verstappen to further strengthen his career, while others fear that the W16 will not meet its high requirements. However, Piquets have ended speculation about a secret encounter in Sardinia, and the focus of their family vacation offers a moment of peace in the storm of rumors. While Verstappen is preparing for the upcoming races, the question remains: Will he remain loyal to Red Bull or is a new challenge at Mercedes? Time will learn, but at the moment the Dutch enjoys peace in his yacht, far away from the hectic pace of the paddock.
