This man colors the green mark and the Red Bull Ring orange: In an interview, he told Red Bulletin how Roger Hermans makes Spielberg a home game for Max Verstappen.
“The Red Bulletin”: You do merchandising and organize fan trips for Max Verstappen. How did that come about?
Roger Hermans: I was already doing merchandising for Jos Verstappen 31 years ago. Stickers, patches, T-shirts or flags for “Jos the Boss.” It was the time before the Internet, so I came into contact with two guys who published a Jos fan magazine every three months. That’s how I grew into the world of Verstappen. At some point there was little Max at Jos’ side and the two of them mixed up the karting world as a father-son duo.
Did you immediately suspect that the boy could be something special?
It was at the F3 race in Zandvoort. That’s when I suggested doing merchandising for Max. Much too early, it was said. But I saw the well-known Jos fans with their ten-year-old sons in tow. It was clear to me that the future Max fans would come here. A few months later, Max was actually already in F1 and things really took off.
Means what?
Today we send merchandising articles all over the world through the Internet. I employ 25 people for this alone. Four years ago I opened the first fan shop in Swalmen on the German border, last year a second. And Verstappen Travel has been around for three years.
How does this work?
We sell the GP tickets and sweeten them with goodies. We support the guests with travel and accommodation, but we do not offer total packages.
Why this?
We are guests here. We don’t want purely Dutch campsites or grandstands with 5,000 oranges sitting over beer and meatballs. Fans should mix things up and get a taste of the host country’s culture, such as sausage with sauerkraut and local beer.
Which races is Max Verstappen Travel heading for?
Spielberg, Budapest, Zandvoort and Spa Francorchamps.
If you look around, many fans actually travel in the classic way by caravan, correct?
Right. And it’s 1,200 kilometers to Spielberg. They only take it upon themselves because it is so perfectly organized here. The showers were well maintained. The farmers who make the meadows available, correct. Nowhere in Europe is things going as well as in Spielberg. And nowhere else can you camp as close to the route as in Spielberg.
How many Dutch spectators can we expect for the Austrian GP next weekend?
Max Verstappen Travel alone has sold 15,000 tickets. The orange family fills three grandstands and makes Styria a little bit orange.
How do you organize that?
We have three trailers on the track where fans pick up their tickets and merchandising: T-shirt, backpack, lanyard and ticket holder. We advise customers in advance which campsite is ideal for them: Halligalli: Camping red. Rather calm: yellow. Ticket in the north grandstand: Camping pink. All guests get the address of the tourist office. We encourage them to stay longer in the region after the GP.
Do you only book campers?
But no! Some also come by private jet. We organize the transport from Graz and back again for you.
Do fans have a chance to meet Max in person?
Unfortunately not during the race weekend. But we’re giving away great goodies to everyone who has booked with Max Verstappen Travel: overalls, racing shoes, towels or gloves.
What happens in Holland when Max becomes world champion this year?
Then all hell breaks loose. Hell! Max is heading for a “home win”.
Is he already the most popular Dutch athlete?
Yes, and with a huge distance. He has 4.9 million followers on Instagram alone.
Who comes after him?
No idea.
Werner Jessner, The Red Bulletin