Thierry Vermeulen

Thierry Vermeulen (born 29 July 2002) is a Dutch racing driver currently competing for Emil Frey Racing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He previously competed in the ADAC GT Masters, scoring a podium alongside Mattia Drudi.

Early career
Vermeulen began his racing career in 2020, competing for Team GP Elite in the GT4 CS class of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux. 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. 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.

2022
Having 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. 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. Nevertheless, Vermeulen had spent the year improving his speed thanks to his teammate's coaching according to team manager Denis Ferlemann.

2023
Vermeulen 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. 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. 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.

2024
For 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. 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.

Personal life
As of 2023, Vermeulen lives in Monaco. His father Raymond is the manager of three-time Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen. As of 2023, Vermeulen was being mentored by Jos Verstappen.

Racing career summary
† As Vermeulen was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points. * Season still in progress.

Complete Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Complete Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete ADAC GT Masters results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
 * Season still in progress.

Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
 * Season still in progress.