Drudi/Vermeulen finish on the podium at Zandvoort in the Car Collection Audi: Why the Dutchman impressed his teammate and what was the key
Thierry Vermeulen has not been in racing for long. But on just his third race weekend in the ADAC GT Masters, the young Dutchman managed to score his first podium finish, and in front of his home crowd at Zandvoort, of all places.
Together with his teammate on the 63 of Albert Costa/Jack Aitken was too strong for that. Drudi laid the foundation for the podium at the start, where he improved from P4 to P2.
Mattia Drudi: Two keys for P2 at Zandvoort
“I saw Perera and Güven going to the inside. I had a clear track in front of me and was able to brake very late and overtake on the outside,” the Italian described the race start from his point of view. This manoeuvre was “one of the keys” to second position, says Drudi.
Another factor: “I just followed Jack. He was very fast, so I then concentrated on my car and my tyres.” Drudi handed over the R8 to Vermeulen in pristine condition and with a big cushion on the Joos Porsche.
Thus, he had good conditions for his stint and is happy: “I was able to do my thing, drive my pace and try to leave the car in one piece without any crazy actions. Of course, then the result came. I am very happy with it. Overall, I’m very happy for the team. They deserve it as well. “
Thierry Vermeulen hot for more podiums
Vermeulen, for his part, managed not to overwork the tyres. Like an old GT3 hand, the young Dutchman drove the result home. Drudi praised his team-mate in the highest terms for this: “He’s doing a mega job, again today.”
The Italian continued: “It wasn’t easy because when you have a gap and then you see cars coming closer again it’s never easy to manage the pressure. And he doesn’t have that much racing experience yet. So what he’s doing is very good.”
The sense of achievement from Vermeulen, the son of Max Verstappen’s manager, also generated excitement in the stands. Over the weekend, 14,500 spectators came to the ADAC GT Masters in Zandvoort, despite the MotoGP race in Assen.
“They were very happy, of course, and it’s nice to see that. To see all these people who come here and support this championship and the drivers so happy … It’s a beautiful sight,” Vermeulen, who doesn’t want to leave it at the one podium, proudly tells. He announces: “I hope I can create that again this season. “
