Thierry Egidius Gerardus Vermeulen (born 29 July 2002) is a Dutch racing driver currently competing for Emil Frey Racing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He is backed by 3 time Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen.[1][2] He previously competed in the ADAC GT Masters, scoring a podium alongside Mattia Drudi.[3][4]
| Thierry Vermeulen | |
|---|---|
 Vermeulen in 2023 | |
| Nationality |  Dutch |
| Born | 29 July 2002 Venlo, Netherlands |
| Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters career | |
| Debut season | 2023 |
| Current team | Emil Frey Racing |
| Racing licence |  FIA Gold |
| Car number | 69 |
| Starts | 32 (32 entries) |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Poles | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 2 |
| Best finish | 15th in 2024 |
| Previous series | |
| 2022 2022 2021-22 2021 2020 | ADAC GT Masters GTWC Europe Endurance Cup Porsche Sprint Challenge ME Porsche Carrera Cup Germany GT4 European Series |
Early career
editVermeulen began his racing career in 2020, competing for Team GP Elite in the GT4 CS class of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux.[5] He would experience a dominant campaign, winning every race but one on his way towards the title. During the same year, he would also make an appearance in the GT4 European Series at Le Castellet alongside Max Koebolt.
In 2021, the Dutchman would continue in Porsches, switching to the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux. He won a race at Assen and placed sixth in the standings.[6] Other appearances that season included three drives in the 24H GT Series and a one-off in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany.
During the winter, Vermeulen contested the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East, where he amassed five podiums.
GT3 career
edit2022
editHaving made his first GT3 outing at the Kyalami 9 Hours in February, Vermeulen made a switch to the category with a campaign in the ADAC GT Masters, driving an Audi R8 LMS Evo II for Car Collection Motorsport.[7][8] He and teammate Mattia Drudi collected a lone podium at Vermeulen's home track in Zandvoort, however this would only be enough for 23rd in the standings.[9] Nevertheless, Vermeulen had spent the year improving his speed thanks to his teammate's coaching according to team manager Denis Ferlemann.[10]
2023
editVermeulen performed double-duties the following year, driving for Emil Frey Racing in both the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup, where he was paired up with Albert Costa, and the DTM.[11][12] In the former, the Dutchman struggled to keep pace with race-winning teammate Jack Aitken, though he would become a regular top-ten finisher during the second half of the season, leaving him 16th overall with a best result of fifth at the Sachsenring.[13] The latter series saw him and Costa take three podiums at the back end of the season, missing another when Vermeulen was penalised for colliding with Dries Vanthoor at the final corner in Hockenheim, which resulted in fourth place in the championship.[14][15][16]
2024
editFor the 2024 season, Vermeulen returned to contest the DTM with Emil Frey and remained with the team in the GTWC Sprint Cup, this time partnering Giacomo Altoè.[17][18] At the opening DTM round in Oschersleben, the Dutchman collided with René Rast, resulting in an incensed Vermeulen showing the German the middle finger — he later received a reprimand for causing the collision and a warning for the gesture.[19][20] Vermeulen only scored one top five finish during the first half of the campaign, finishing fourth at his home race in Zandvoort after qualifying third.[21] A few rounds later, the Dutchman managed to claim his first pole position in the DTM, qualifying first for the second race at the Sachsenring.[22] He would control the race until after the mandatory pit stop, when a penalty lap was issued as one of the mechanics had left a tyre on the ground in the pit lane, which demoted Vermeulen to third.[23][24]
Personal life
editAs of 2023, Vermeulen lives in Monaco.[25] His father Raymond is the manager of three-time Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen.[26] As of 2023, Vermeulen was being mentored by Jos Verstappen.[27]
Racing record
editRacing career summary
edit| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux - GT4 CS | Team GP Elite | 12 | 11 | 5 | ? | 12 | ? | 1st |
| GT4 European Series - Silver | Selleslagh Racing Team | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† | |
| 2021 | 24H GT Series - 991 | MRS GT-Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | NC† |
| 24H GT Series - GTX | Red Camel-Jordans.nl | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 13th | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux | Team GP Elite | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 114 | 6th | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup Germany | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 24th | ||
| Intercontinental GT Challenge | High Class Racing with WRT | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 26th | |
| 2021–22 | Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East | GP Elite | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 71 | 12th |
| 2022 | ADAC GT Masters | Car Collection Motorsport | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 51 | 23rd |
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup | Tresor by Car Collection[28] | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup - Silver | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | ||
| 24H GT Series - 992 | Team GP-Elite | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | NC† | |
| RABDAN Motorsports by ID Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | 24H GT Series - GT3 | Team GP Elite | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† |
| Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Emil Frey Racing | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 16th | |
| GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 62.5 | 4th | ||
| 2023–24 | Middle East Trophy - GT3 | racing one | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 2024 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Emil Frey Racing | 16 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 71 | 15th |
| GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 6th | ||
| Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - Cup3 | Lionspeed GP | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | * | * | |
| Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - SP9 | Konrad Motorsport | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0* | * |
† As Vermeulen was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
* Season still in progress.
Complete Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)
| Year | Team | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Team GP Elite | GT4 CS | ZOL 1 1 |
ZOL 2 1 |
ZOL 3 1 |
NÜR 1 1 |
NÜR 2 1 |
NÜR 3 1 |
ZND 1 1 |
ZND 2 1 |
ZND 3 1 |
ZOL 1 1 |
ZOL 2 3 |
ZOL 3 1 |
1st | ? |
Complete Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Team GP Elite | SPA 1 4 |
SPA 2 Ret |
RBR 1 12 |
RBR 2 Ret |
ZND 1 9 |
ZND 2 2 |
ZOL 1 5 |
ZOL 2 Ret |
ASS 1 5 |
ASS 2 1 |
HOC 1 Ret |
HOC 2 2 |
6th | 114 |
Complete ADAC GT Masters results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Car Collection Motorsport | Audi R8 LMS Evo II | OSC 1 16 |
OSC 2 9 |
RBR 1 21† |
RBR 2 Ret |
ZAN 1 16 |
ZAN 2 2 |
NÜR 1 Ret |
NÜR 2 19† |
LAU 1 13 |
LAU 2 15 |
SAC 1 10 |
SAC 2 12 |
HOC 1 17† |
HOC 2 7 |
23rd | 51 |
Complete GT World Challenge Europe results
editGT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup
edit| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Tresor by Car Collection | Audi R8 LMS Evo II | Silver | IMO | LEC | SPA 6H |
SPA 12H |
SPA 24H |
HOC Ret |
CAT 21 |
NC | 0 |
GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Emil Frey Racing | Ferrari 296 GT3 | Pro | BRH 1 7 |
BRH 2 14 |
MIS 1 5 |
MIS 2 5 |
HOC 1 4 |
HOC 2 6 |
VAL 1 2 |
VAL 2 3 |
ZAN 1 2 |
ZAN 2 8 |
4th | 62.5 |
| 2024 | Emil Frey Racing | Ferrari 296 GT3 | Pro | BRH 1 11 |
BRH 2 2 |
MIS 1 3 |
MIS 2 4 |
HOC 1 8 |
HOC 2 22 |
MAG 1 4 |
MAG 2 10 |
CAT 1 10 |
CAT 2 6 |
6th | 44 |
Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Emil Frey Racing | Ferrari 296 GT3 | OSC 1 15 |
OSC 2 16 |
ZAN 1 Ret |
ZAN 2 Ret |
NOR 1 20 |
NOR 2 21 |
NÜR 1 10 |
NÜR 2 8 |
LAU 1 9 |
LAU 2 9 |
SAC 1 10 |
SAC 2 5 |
RBR 1 DSQ |
RBR 2 9 |
HOC 1 11 |
HOC 2 23 |
16th | 58 |
| 2024 | Emil Frey Racing | Ferrari 296 GT3 | OSC 1 9 |
OSC 2 Ret |
LAU 1 17 |
LAU 2 13 |
ZAN 1 15 |
ZAN 2 43 |
NOR 1 17 |
NOR 2 15 |
NÜR 1 16 |
NÜR 2 6 |
SAC 1 11 |
SAC 2 31 |
RBR 1 DSQ |
RBR 2 13 |
HOC 1 13 |
HOC 2 11 |
15th | 71 |
References
edit- ^ "Thierry Vermeulen - Karriere und Erfolge". speedsport-magazine.de. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ "Emil Frey Racing Confirm DTM & GT World Challenge Sprint Campaigns With Ferrari | dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "ADAC GT Masters Zandvoort 2022: Nächster Lambo-Sieg durch Costa/Aitken". Motorsport-Total.com (in German). Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ ""Ein schöner Anblick": Audi-Pilot Thierry Vermeulen lässt mit P2 Zandvoort jubeln". de.motorsport.com (in German). 28 June 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ Plümer, Jonas (13 November 2020). "GT4 European Series: Selleslagh Racing Team mit zwei Wagen beim Finale". gt-place.com (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ "STANDINGS ARCHIVE". Carrera Cup Benelux. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ "Thierry Vermeulen For High Class Audi At Kyalami | dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Plümer, Jonas (6 April 2022). "ADAC GT Masters: Thierry Vermeulen und Mattia Drudi für Car Collection" [ADAC GT Masters: Thierry Vermeulen and Mattia Drudi for Car Collection]. gt-place.com (in German). Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ ""Ein schöner Anblick": Audi-Pilot Thierry Vermeulen lässt mit P2 Zandvoort jubeln". Motorsport-Total.com (in German). Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Car Collection: Rookie Thierry Vermeulen "hat uns definitiv überrascht"". Motorsport-Total.com (in German). Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Lloyd, Daniel (24 February 2023). "Emil Frey Returns to Sprint Cup Alongside DTM". sportscar365.com. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ Vermeulen, Thierry (24 February 2023). "THIERRY VERMEULEN TAKES THE NEXT STEP TO CONTEST DTM". Thierry Vermeulen. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Verstappen über Schützling Vermeulen: "Immer innerhalb von zwei Zehnteln"". Motorsport-Total.com (in German). Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "WRT-Duo erbt nach Strafe Position drei / GT World Challenge - SPEEDWEEK.COM". www.speedweek.com (in German). 2 September 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Hendrix, Niels (18 October 2023). "Thierry second in GT World Challenge in Zandvoort: 'Mixed emotions'". news.verstappen.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Standings Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS Sprint Cup Drivers 2023". Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Euwema, Davey (6 March 2024). "Emil Frey Retains Aitken, Vermeulen for Second Season – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ Plümer, Jonas (6 March 2024). "GT World Challenge Europe: Emil Frey Racing mit zwei Autos im Sprint Cup". GT-Place.com (in German). Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ Wester, Robert Seiwert & Arno (29 April 2024). "Stinkefinger gegen Rene Rast: Vermeulen bei DTM-Auftakt verwarnt". Motorsport-Magazin.com (in German). Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Stritzke, Heiko (28 April 2024). "Kollision Rast/Vermeulen: Kommissare sehen Schuld beim Niederländer". motorsport-total.com.
- ^ "Wittmann Takes Race 2 Win At Zandvoort | dailysportscar.com". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Thierry Vermeulen mit Sensations-Pole-Position / DTM - SPEEDWEEK.com". www.speedweek.com (in German). 8 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Seiwert, Robert (8 September 2024). "DTM Sachsenring: Vermeulen verliert Sieg wegen Strafe an Stolz - Mittelfinger für Rene Rast!". Motorsport-Magazin.com (in German). Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Thukral, Rachit (8 September 2024). "DTM Sachsenring: Stolz inherits race two win after Vermeulen penalty". motorsport.com.
- ^ "Vermeulen über Verstappen.com Racing: "Max will Plattform weiterentwickeln"". Motorsport-Total.com (in German). Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Verstappen's father helping new youngster reach F1". Sports Mole. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ "INTERVIEW MIT DTM-PILOT THIERRY VERMEULEN VOR SEINEM HEIMSPIEL". motorsport-xl.de. 16 June 2023.
- ^ Plümer, Jonas (2 September 2022). "Thierry Vermeulen debütiert in GT World Challenge Europe" [Thierry Vermeulen makes debut in GT World Challenge Europe]. gt-place.com (in German). Retrieved 4 September 2022.
External links
edit- Thierry Vermeulen career summary at DriverDB.com