Thierry Vermeulen has put in a lot of work over the winter by participating in the 24h of Daytona and gathering useful experience in multiple endurance competitions. He’s gearing up for a new season in DTM and GT World Challenge and prepares for his debut at the N24.

Fresh off two title-winning campaigns in GT World Challenge in 2025, Vermeulen continued his racing season over the winter to come prepared for 2026. With Verstappen Racing, he won both the Sprint Cup title and Endurance title and left his mark even more on the GT3 racing world.

Vermeulen returned to the Nordschleife in March to prepare for his first 24h Nürburgring. “I’ve also done some testing in Asia, so the winters keep getting shorter,” Vermeulen laughs in an interview with GT REPORT. “The season actually just keeps going, which is nice for us drivers.”

“We have the new [Ferrari 296 GT3] Evo this year, which is just a little bit different: with a new body, different downforce levels. The more you drive the car, the more you learn. I hope I can also take that with me into my DTM campaign,” the 23-year-old says.

Unfinished business in DTM

After spending the Easter weekend in Malaysia for the GT World Challenge Asia, Vermeulen returns to DTM and the GT World Challenge Sprint Cup this season. He will drive with Swiss outfit Emil Frey Racing in both championships – a team he knows very well and where he feels at home.

With Verstappen Racing’s line-up of Chris Lulham, Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon in the Endurance Cup, and Emil Frey only active in the Sprint Cup, he settled for one GTWCE programme in combination with DTM.

He does hint at some future opportunities in the United States, “although for now my focus is on DTM,” Vermeulen says. “I think DTM is the best sprint championship in the world. I really like it there and we’re building on good progression.”

Vermeulen finished tenth in the championship last year and collected impressive pole positions and podiums. “I have a lot of goals in DTM that I haven’t reached yet, so my focus is there. To do, let’s say, more in IMSA, is something I’d absolutely want. Let’s see what the future brings.”

Matteo Cairoli and Vermeulen form star line-up

A lot of young endurance drivers combine multiple programs in one racing season to gain as much experience as they can get. Vermeulen is one of them: “For sure! Last year I did more than 24 weekends. The programme outside DTM and GT World Challenge was very busy,” he points out.

“I’m also racing at the Nordschleife this year, and for GT World Challenge Asia I will also race two or three race weekends. We’re in the car a lot, but the most important is that we deliver high quality performances. You can get behind the wheel of any car, but you have to find the right package.”

Vermeulen adds immediately that he has found that right package with Emil Frey. He will share the DTM garage this year with N24 winner and GTWCE vice-champion Matteo Cairoli, a big name in endurance racing. “I can learn a lot from him,” he says. “What he can learn from me… Maybe it’s better to ask him!” he laughs.

“I do have more experience with the car, of course. Maybe I can teach him a thing or two about the Ferrari, or what to do when an issue occurs. I’m looking forward to work with him. I was happy with Jack Aitken in the past three years, but he has a huge opportunity in WEC and IMSA. I’m absolutely looking forward to get started in DTM again.”

24h Nürburgring squeezed into busy schedule

Vermeulen’s DTM season will kick off in the weekend of 24-26 April at the Red Bull Ring, three weeks before his debut in the 24h Nürburgring. He’s part of the Kondo Racing line-up of the #45 Ferrari with Thomas Neubauer, David Perel and Dennis Marschall.

“We had to find the rhythm. We’re using the Yokohoma tyre, which was new for me [at NLS2, ed.], but I’m building the pace and the team is doing very well,” he explains. “We have seen last year what the car is able to do here, so we should focus on the balance and we as drivers need to minimalize mistakes.”

“I’m really happy with the team, the mechanics, the engineers. The mood in the garage is great and I feel comfortable when I get into the car. We’re doing great so far.”

He and his team got a P4 at NLS2, after which Vermeulen did an amazing job by putting the car on pole for the N24 Qualifiers on Sunday, but unfortunately the team suffered a crash soon after the start of the race. They will come back stronger in May and fight for the overall win in the N24.