Thierry Vermeulen has not been a professional race car driver for very long. He is currently learning the tricks of the trade from Max Verstappen, the best mentor he could wish for. “He leads the team without being authoritarian,” says Vermeulen.
Start a conversation with Max and Jos Verstappen about the GT team of the four-time world champion, and their eyes instantly light up. Under the banner of Verstappen.com, the Formula 1 driver not only trains young colleagues, but he – a true enthusiast – also loves to get behind the wheel whenever he can. Like last fall, when he won a 4-hour race on the famous Nordschleife track with partner Chris Lulham.
Thierry Vermeulen, son of Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen, has been driving for the GT team of the four-time world champion for several years. Last season, he raced again in the DTM. He is extremely enthusiastic about the dedication, professionalism, and time that Verstappen invests in ‘his’ project. Under his wings, both he and the team are making great strides. According to Vermeulen, Verstappen is not only an exceptional driver, but also a gifted team leader.
– Thierry, when did you think: I want to race too?
“It actually started in early 2020: Jos (Verstappen, ed) was then fully engaged with his passion for GT cars, together with Victoria (his daughter) and Max. They did a number of track days with a Porsche Cup car, and I was invited to join them in Portimão, in Victoria’s Porsche GT4. That was my first experience in a serious race car. Two days of driving on that circuit, and after just a few laps, I thought: ‘I want to do this more often’. It was a moment when everything came together: fun, speed, technique… I was immediately sold. After those first days in Portimão, I did a drift training with GP Elite, and then a few extra track days followed. At the end of 2020, I decided to race a few races in the Benelux Sprint Challenge with a GT4 car. That was really the beginning of my career as a driver.”
– You didn’t follow the usual route of many other drivers.
“Not at all! Most drivers start karting as a child. I had only done some test days with Jos on the kart track in Genk around 2015, but that was nothing more than an introduction. Real racing, competition, strategy: I learned all of that from 2020. From the moment I got into the car in Portimão, the process of learning and developing began. And then everything goes very fast, which you are not used to at all. It was really: just get in. I even borrowed an old racing suit from Max from his time at Toro Rosso.”
Did Jos Verstappen initially guide you?
“Indeed. From day one, Jos was heavily involved. He helped me with braking points, how to take the lines, and how to better understand the car. Everything was new to me, I hadn’t had any previous test days. Of course, I followed the sport, the real spark was already there. The first year was mainly about gaining experience: starting, defending, racing. I was able to convince my father with Jos’s help to do more. We had a sort of agreement that I would drive a year in GT4. To have fun and also to learn more. From there we would see if it was going well enough, if there was constant progress. From 2021, the focus was more on performance when I started driving in the Carrera Cup.”
Thierry Vermeulen: ‘You just have to get to work’ (Verstappen.com)
Did Jos set ‘conditions’ to start guiding you?
“No nonsense or dawdling, that was clear from day one. Jos and Max Verstappen expect commitment, discipline, and motivation. You just have to get to work. That was a change for me at eighteen, nineteen: from school to the racing world. A completely different lifestyle. You have to exercise, sit in the simulator, call the team every day, stay in touch. But the rules during that learning period were clear: go for it. And I am grateful that it went this way. Without all those instructions, I would not be the driver I am now. I think I have gone through a unique trajectory: from a late start to a professional GT driver. Thanks to guidance, my own effort, and eagerness to learn, I have developed in a short time. I hope to continue the progress, to keep getting better and at the same time to enjoy racing as it should be.”
Did you already have technical knowledge of cars in those early days?
“Not really. Of course, I was always interested, I watched a lot on YouTube, read about racing series and cars, but I didn’t have a technical education or experience like many other drivers. It was mainly learning by doing, asking a lot of questions and taking in the feedback from Jos and Max. It went fast, but every day I learned something new.”
Max Verstappen’s Role in Developing Young Drivers
“In practical terms, he participates in test days, sometimes driving behind me, sometimes I follow him. He compares lines, looks at data, onboard footage, and gives tips on details: how to approach a turn, how to manage tire wear, how to provide feedback to the team… These are all small things that together make a huge difference. Max explains why something works or doesn’t, and that helps you make progress much faster.”
Describing Max as a Mentor
“Max is direct when necessary, but chooses his moments wisely. He doesn’t criticize just before a race or in a stressful moment. He calmly explains what can be improved and why, he’s not a bully. It’s not just criticism; he also helps, provides alternatives, and shows how to implement improvements. That makes him a very effective mentor.”
Max’s Involvement in Other Team Matters
“Absolutely. Max is involved in everything: setups, pit stops, strategy, driver management – but also livery, team clothing, and sponsor logos. Every detail must be exactly right, as he wants it. The Verstappen.com Red Bull logo, the spiderweb on the side of the car, the team colors – these are all his ideas. This year, we even adjusted the color of the car just after the first race: a bit lighter, because Max felt it better matched the team’s visual identity. Everything on the car is tested, it has to be the best of the best. It gives the team a huge boost, because everyone knows there’s a very experienced driver and leader who wants to get the most out of it.”
Friendship Off the Track
“Yes, and that makes it easier to be honest with each other. We understand each other well, and that helps with learning and improving. We can be direct with each other, but it remains professional and respectful. This also promotes team dynamics and communication.”
Does His Involvement Actually Improve the Team?
“Absolutely. This year, our first in the GT World Challenge Endurance with our own car, we saw huge progress. We were faster than factory Aston Martins on some circuits. That shows how Max’s experience and approach elevate the team to a higher level.”
“Thierry Vermeulen and ‘mentor’ Max Verstappen: ‘Small tips make a big difference’ (Verstappen.com)
How does a typical test day work in practice?
“Usually, we start with ten laps to get into the rhythm. Max looks at my feedback and compares it with the data and his own experiences. Then we put on new tires and try different settings. Sometimes he drives ahead of me, so I can follow and learn from his lines. It’s often simple things: braking a little less hard, better tire conservation, a different approach to the corner. But those small tips make a big difference on the track.”
What do you find most valuable about Max Verstappen as a mentor?
“How he gives feedback, sets priorities, optimizes performance, and motivates the team. It’s not just about speed, but also about insight, consistency, and collaboration. These are lessons I take with me in every race and in every aspect of my development as a driver.”
What makes GT racing so appealing?
“The battles on the track are intense and fair, the cars are equal. Endurance races add an extra dimension: night rides, tire management, strategy. Max also appreciates that the team is small and close-knit, allowing him to directly influence what happens. Recently, we had a test in Monza, when Max came straight from Milton Keynes (headquarters of Red Bull Racing). We were just in the debrief of the morning session. Well, then he comes in, shakes everyone’s hand, sits down and stays until late in the evening. Max is a mentor, team boss, coach, and friend all at once. He guides new drivers, explains how to set up cars, how to execute strategies, and how to maintain mental focus.”
What is the biggest advantage of having a world star on this team?
“His experience, precision, passion, and ability to lead the team without being authoritarian. He knows when to be direct, when to explain, and when to leave room for initiative. This allows us as drivers and as a team to get the most out of ourselves.”
