Vermeulen: "A privilege to witness this up-close”

Published on 05 August 2015 by Stefan Meens

Besides father Jos Verstappen, another familiar face returned to the paddock with the arrival of Max Verstappen in Formula 1. Raymond Vermeulen, the loyal companion who stood by Jos during his career, now operates as Max’ manager. GPUpdate.net caught up with Raymond at the Hungaroring.

Max just finished the Hungarian Grand Prix in fourth when we find Vermeulen at the back of the Toro Rosso pits. “That was pretty emotional”, he says to GPUpdate.net, after switching his phone to silent to avoid the avalanche of messages on his device. “It was pretty tense in the garage. Jos and I were really counting down the laps. Then there was the drive through and Lewis Hamilton storming his way through the field. But in the end it was fourth place and a milestone in Max’ career. It’s amazing. All of us worked very hard and to finish fourth, a result we didn’t expect this weekend, is all the more amazing. Max did a superb job. Of course we knew he’s a proper racer, but this time he was really mature and convincing.”

It is obvious that Vermeulen is delighted with Max’ performance at the Hungagroing. The huge smile on the Dutchman’s face can be seen from anywhere in the paddock. However, the look in his eyes reveals even more how happy he is with Max’s fourth place. “Of course there were plenty of ups and downs, but I think Max generally did a very good job”, reflects Vermeulen on Max’ debut season so far. “He drove in a mature way, doesn’t make many mistakes. The mistakes he did make, taught him a lot. So we can be very happy.”

Secretly, Vermeulen is probably Max’ biggest fan. “He is so strong in the races. He does everything on instinct. That’s a sign of how talented he is. And he will only improve. I think we’re going to witness some amazing stuff.”

Vermeulen will never forget the moment that Max lined up on the grid in Melbourne. “We had such a great start to everything and it all went so fast. To see Max in the car, knowing how hard we worked with a group of enthusiasts, makes me incredible proud. It’s a privilege to witness this up-close.” In the Netherlands, Formula 1 is popular again, observes Vermeulen. “Everyone is supporting Max. That is wonderful to see. Sport1 have done a great job picking up on that popularity.”

Another highlight of 2015 was Italia a Zandvoort, which for its 2015 edition became one big Max Verstappen fan event. “It was amazing, everything came together that day. It was the right timing, done with the right partners and Circuit Park Zandvoort did a top job organising things. On top of that, the weather was great too.”

Vermeulen has to force himself not to become too enthusiastic. “Things are going our way at the moment, but we have to remain realistic. Max is in his first year and he still only seventeen. He’s done amazing so far. But if we give him time to develop we’ll witness so great things.”

Supermarket Jumbo and DIY store Hornbach are at the moment the only Dutch companies sponsoring Max. However, Vermeulen is positive regarding the future. “We’re talking to a lot of different people but we are in no rush. We don’t have to act straight away. The main thing is to collaborate with the right partners. I’ve definitely noticed that the corporate world starts to realize how special Max is and that he can be an asset to companies. But I repeat, we’re not rushing. We’re not in F1 for the short term, we’re here for the long haul.”

Vermeulen is no stranger to the Formula 1 paddock. He operated as Huub Rothengatter’s right hand man when he was Jos’s manager during his stint in Formula 1.“It must have been in the mid-nineties when I met Jos in his father Frans’ pub”, tells Vermeulen.

At the time I was doing a bit of go-karting and I was looking for a different engine. I bought one off Frans and that’s when I bumped into Jos. Every now and then he would swing by to tune my kart and that’s how we became friends. During that same time, I got connected to Huub who suggested he could do with another person helping out working for Jos. So In 1996 I joined the team. Looking back the connection came about coincidentally.”

“The years with Jos were pretty hectic”, remembers Vermeulen. “We were chatting to different teams and every year it was a bit tense to see if we could land a deal for the next year. We had a bit of bad luck with Honda, but in general I think we made the most of it. I genuinely believe that Jos was among the best in the world at that time. In the Netherlands we can be proud of what he’s achieved.”

Jos, with two podium finishes still the most successful Dutchman in Formula 1, joined Honda in 1999 as their test driver. He was set to race for the factory team in 2000. Unfortunately the project was cancelled, despite several promising tests. “It could have been a turning point in Jos’ career. Unfortunately it didn’t. We went to Arrows, where things didn’t go our way. In the end we joined Minardi, where, in a way, Max started his career. Although it has to be said the team has changed dramatically since Jos drove there.”

Vermeulen and Rothengatter are still in touch. “We still treat each other like friends. In the early stages of Max’ career he advised us. He helped us with choosing the next step after karting. He suggested Formula 3. And that was a big decision to make. In hindsight it was the right move. But when we had to make to choice, it was difficult to judge what to do, Formula Renault 2.0 or Formula 3. And if F3, what championship? In moments like that, someone with Huub’s experience and expertise, can be a great advisor.”

Vermeulen, who prefers to call himself advisor instead of manager, spends more time than anyone with Jos and Max. He is therefore the ideal person to spot the similarities and differences between the two. “Max is more relaxed, both as a person and a driver. I also think he has a more flowing style of driving. However, Max can be absolutely ruthless on track. He has the determination and tenacity that Jos showed in his day. In Formula 3 last year, Max showed he is tough cookie on track, but off it he is very sociable.”

Max appears to be at the start of a long career in F1. Is Vermeulen ready for that? “I am confidently looking ahead. You have to be a little bit crazy to do this job. It’s very intense but great to be a part of. I’m proud I’m part of it. But it in the end, it’s all because of Max, his sponsors and everyone else who’s been involved in this project. Sometimes, Max, Jos and I are in the car and we realize: ‘We’ve done it’. A lot of drivers don’t make it into F1. In fact, most drivers don’t. If you then reflect how we got into it, you could say it’s a dream come true.”

Where will Max be in ten years? Vermeulen: “Hopefully he’ll still be in Formula 1 with a packed trophy cabinet. But let’s not get carried away. Let’s see what happens but enjoy the journey as it unfolds.”