Last Updated on April 26 2026, 8:54 am
Vermeulen recalls tense Verstappen negotiations and a key turning point – Vermeulen, Max Verstappen’s manager, reveals a behind-the-scenes moment from Max Verstappen’s early contract negotiations, recalling how Jos Verstappen once kicked him under the table for pushing too hard on financial terms.
The long-time manager used this anecdote to illustrate how dramatically the stakes have grown, with Verstappen now commanding contracts worth hundreds of millions of euros as one of Formula 1’s biggest stars.
From karting prospect to global superstar
Vermeulen has been involved with the Verstappens since the mid-1990s, initially working with Jos before later managing Max’s career. Reflecting on the journey, Vermeulen pointed to the signing of Verstappen’s first Formula 1 contract nearly 12 years ago as a defining milestone.
Finalised after a meeting in Düsseldorf with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, that agreement marked the beginning of a rapid rise. According to Vermeulen, the transformation from promising karting talent to global superstar happened at remarkable speed.
He described the progression as something that “went like a rocket”, emphasising how quickly Verstappen established himself at the top of the sport.
“A kick under the table” during negotiations
Verstappen is now on his seventh Formula 1 contract, with each deal bringing increasingly complex clauses, longer durations and significantly higher salaries. Reports estimate his current earnings at around €60–65 million per year, with total contract values reaching into the hundreds of millions.
Vermeulen admitted that he was fully aware of Verstappen’s value from the outset and negotiated accordingly. However, that approach once led to a tense — albeit humorous — moment.
During one negotiation, Jos Verstappen physically intervened under the table to signal that the demands might be too ambitious. Vermeulen recalled that the incident later became a source of laughter, especially given how much the financial scale has grown since then.
“At one point during the negotiations, Jos gave me a kick under the table because he thought I was asking for too much. We had a laugh about that later,” said Verstappen’s manager.
He added that Verstappen has since proven his worth many times over, justifying the aggressive approach taken in those discussions.
Evolving roles within the Verstappen camp
Vermeulen emphasised that trust has always formed the basis of his relationship with Jos and Max Verstappen. However, he acknowledged that the internal dynamic has changed significantly as Max has matured.
Where decisions were once made collectively, Verstappen now plays a leading role in shaping his career and business ventures. According to Vermeulen, the driver is increasingly bringing his own ideas and direction to the table, particularly in projects such as Verstappen Racing and his sim racing initiatives.
“Mutual trust is crucial,” says Vermeulen of the golden trio he forms with father and son Verstappen.
“If you look back at the important decisions we’ve made, friendship and trust have always been the baseline. Otherwise, I would never have had that energy. The dynamic between the three of us has, of course, changed over the years, mainly because Max has grown up and has more of a voice of his own.”
“In fact, he is now fully in the lead and is increasingly bringing his own DNA to the table to further develop what we once started,” explains the manager.
While Vermeulen continues to handle the commercial framework, Verstappen is becoming increasingly involved in strategic decisions. The driver himself often provides creative input, which the manager then refines from a business perspective.
Motivation beyond money
Despite widespread reports that Vermeulen has amassed a personal fortune of around €120 million, he insists that financial gain is no longer his primary motivation. Instead, he is driven by a commitment to Verstappen’s success.
Vermeulen described how he works across all aspects of Verstappen’s life, from business to personal matters, often going beyond the traditional remit of a manager. The goal, he explained, is to enable the driver to focus entirely on racing without distractions.
“To me, he’s still the Max I knew from back in the day. He’s still the same lovely lad who went to Düsseldorf back then. For me, that’s also a bit like the fuel that keeps me going.”
Vermeulen also highlighted how his role has expanded in recent years, particularly as Jos Verstappen has focused more on rallying. This has resulted in him making more frequent appearances at race weekends and becoming more deeply involved in day-to-day operations.
“I’m working on everything seven days a week, from personal matters and business affairs to tasks that would never normally fall within my remit. That’s because I simply want to do the best I can for him, in every respect. I want him to feel comfortable and only have to focus on racing. Jos and I try to organise things as well as possible.”
A unique and evolving journey
Reflecting on his career, Vermeulen described it as a continuous learning experience. He compared it to an environment where each day presents new challenges and opportunities, often requiring skills that he had not previously developed.
He credited Formula 1 as a “breeding ground” for professional and commercial growth. For Vermeulen, the ongoing evolution of his role — and of Verstappen’s career — remains a key source of motivation.
Despite the scale of their success and global recognition, he maintains that Verstappen is still the same person he knew in the early days — a perspective that continues to drive his commitment to the project.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
