Verstappen amazes Mekies with his extraordinary skill: 'He senses what data can't measure'

Mekies says the way Verstappen feels things in the car make a huge difference for his team. Speaking to De Telegraaf, the Frenchman explained: "It is a fact that Max senses things we cannot measure with our current data analysis and sensors in the car. I will be very honest about that.

He continued: "To give an example, Max already felt at the beginning of this year that there was a problem with the steering rack, and we couldn't see it. But thanks to him, we were able to solve it. As a team, we have only benefited from that."

In Sardinia, Italy, the four-time world champion was spotted with Toto Wolff during the summer break. They were also joined by their partners, Susie Wolff and Kelly Piquet.

This is the second year in row they were pictured together. Last year, Verstappen said: "I love Sardinia, he loves Sardinia. I waved at him, we had lunch together and the kids played together. When you're there, you talk about everything except Formula 1. You can have many pleasant conversations with him and Susie."

Wolff also played down expectations last year. The Mercedes team boss did not deny that there had been a meeting, but emphasized that sharing a holiday destination says nothing about a driver’s future: "Just because you vacation near each other doesn't mean you'll work together in Formula 1. We've always gotten along well. It just so happens that we also vacation in similar areas."