Renita Vermeulen: “Doors open when you have the courage to knock”

Meet Renita Vermeulen - an Australian presenter and content creator who has become a familiar face in the MotoGP paddock. Her path into motorsport wasn’t the typical one. With a background in theatre, she first mastered the art of storytelling on stage before life took an unexpected turn. When her arts career wound down in her late teens and the pandemic hit, Renita looked toward something she had always been drawn to - motorsports. With her love for racing and her natural ability to engage an audience, she began creating content online, where her energy and passion caught the attention of fans.

Today, she’s the MotoGP host for Fox Sports Australia, connecting Aussie audiences to the fast-paced world of grand prix motorcycle racing while staying true to her roots as a storyteller.

After spending most of her time in MotoGP, Renita got the chance to host her first Formula 1 event at the Melbourne Grand Prix.

“Formula 1 really does feel like a luxury sport,” she tells Females In Motorsport. “MotoGP and Supercars are a lot more relaxed and easygoing, but Formula 1 has its own culture.

“People line up from midnight just to get the best spot at the fence. It’s crazy, but also amazing to see that kind of passion.

“I love how diverse the crowd is. The whole experience is about energy and I love bringing that energy.”

She also tells that MotoGP has a very unique vibe.

“The fans there are also super passionate, but they’re usually more focused on the technical side,” she says. “They want to understand the details. So, while I still bring the same energy, I also get to ask more in-depth questions.”

As much as she loves her job and the access it gives her to drivers and key figures, she admits she’d also love to experience the other side someday: being in the crowd, soaking up the passion and energy of the fans.

What many people don’t realize, though, is how much work goes into creating content, whether it’s live on TV or for social media.

“Most of the time, I’m just walking around with my iPhone or a little pocket camera, filming content,” she says. “You really have to be ready to go live at any moment.

“It can feel intimidating sometimes, but I love it. I love talking to people, telling stories, and sharing that passion.

“When you genuinely love what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel hectic, you just enjoy the process.

“A regular 9-5 would never feel the same when you’re surrounded by incredible people and doing something you care about.”

Apart from how much she loves her job, she is also picking up and learning something new everyday. Even if it’s details about the sport, or even just keeping up with evolving technology.

Of course, all of this started with a first step. Renita remembers how she first found her way into motorsport.

“I began working with Honda Factory Racing here in Australia, with their motocross team,” she says. “I did that for a season, travelling around the country for Motocross and Supercross.

“That’s where I first got to see how broadcasting worked. I’d watch the crews, then go up to the broadcasters and ask questions.”

From there, she started building connections in the Motocross world. After leaving the team, she joined an agency and through that network, she was offered her first live hosting opportunity.

“People had seen me creating content, doing voiceovers, and posting videos online,” she says.

“Around that time, I was also really pushing my TikTok and YouTube, especially about MotoGP, so everything seemed to click.”

Her first on-air broadcast with Fox was at the MotoGP season opener in Thailand.

“That was surreal,” she says. “I’m so glad I had the courage to reach out to people and talk to them instead of shying away.”

“I still get nervous in front of the camera, but I try to channel that into energy,” she says. “I think it shows, especially when I’m doing live hosting, like the Melbourne Walk or fan forums.

“Bringing that energy is just part of who I am.”

When asked to pick a favorite - live TV, fan events, or in-person hosting - she can’t choose.

“I honestly love doing it all,” she says.

Being a presenter is not as easy as it looks. You have to be ready to go live at any moment and always stay on your toes, especially in motorsport, where things can change in an instant. But if you’re willing to take on the challenges, the doors do open. Even with a completely different background, Renita is living her dream job.