There has been a lot to do this year about the future of Max Verstappen in Formula 1. Are you happy that that is now, at least for a while?
Raymond Vermeulen: “Well, it has always been a continuous process. Everyone talks together in this world. Whether it is going badly, or well. Before the summer break it has become clear that we are committed to Red Bull for 2026. I think it is the right decision. Even if Max could have been his performance clause or he had been triggering, red-and-back, lasting, red-and-back, that had done. “
Because there are still many uncertainties towards 2026?
“Yes. Everything can change next year, with the new regulations. Then it is better to look the cat out of the tree. How the field is developing and who is true. Based on that you can look further. This is not new, isn’t it. We went from Toro Rosso to Red Bull in 2016, and later qua engines of Renault. Those we all do with the way? Max, Jos and I – continuously monitors. call. It would be a fantastic story if he drives his entire Formula 1 career for Red Bull. But that will only happen if he has the material to win. “
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Surely there must have been a moment when you thought it is better to leave?
“Of course. There have been times when Red Bull was really short. Then it makes sense that you think to yourself: what if we sink further through the ice? But look at the seasons: Red Bull always found the way up at some point. You saw that earlier this month in Monza, for example.”
Just looked skeptically: with its own motor for the first time and that big change of control can in the worst case that Max will not stand a chance next year.
“Yes, that is possible. But that can also apply to others. It would have been a huge gamble if he had now signed a contract for next year. There are no guarantees at all. Everyone makes predictions, but these are assumptions. Next year it is not only about the engine, but also about the chassis. And which people will be put on here, which is what the conclusion is a kind of puzzel? A year to stay even more championships in the future.
Together with Max and Jos Verstappen, Raymond Vermeulen forms a trinity. © Getty Images
Max comes across as a balanced personality. As a manager, that also seems nice in this kind of important moments.
“Absolutely. If you have to make decisions, that is of course great. That you work with someone who is very stable and does not shoot from left to right. Max is someone who knows exactly what he wants and does not want.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has been after him for years, Zak Brown (McLaren) also called in the winter. No shortage of interest, so?
“That is not all that exciting, though. Everyone calls everyone. Or do you not think that Toto is calling Charles Leclerc? That is again that puzzle that everyone is laying for themselves. And everyone is selfish, wants the best for themselves. Logical too.”
Max is the most sought after driver. Isn’t that a nice situation?
“It is also just a fact that Max is the fastest man in the field. Each team invests millions to squeeze a few extra from a car. If you then have a driver who already takes those tenths with you, then you want that driver to have. But Max also gets a lot of freedom at Red Bull. That is part of this company. Racing in a GT3 car, for example.
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He is a busy man outside of Formula 1: racing in GT3s, Simracen, his own racing vehicle and simulator training. Does that give him energy?
“Racing is his passion: whether it is in Formula 1, in the Sim or in the GT3. He will indeed get energy from that. And I think it helps him to get better as a driver. He puts so much time in it, in everything we are building with Verstappen.com racing. Together with Atze Kerkhof he has set the simulations and also. See that Max is absorbed in it.
In short, the ‘manager of’ is also busy …
“Haha, certainly. I am working on it seven days a week. It is very diverse: from sponsorship, to contracts, to private matters. All together we work with a team of about 25 people. It is really a company. And it feels like a great story that we are still busy with.”