Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Former Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko has described Dutch prospect Rocco Coronel as a potential long-term successor to Max Verstappen.
Verstappen has been the cornerstone of Red Bull’s modern success in Formula 1, securing four world championships and more than 70 grand prix victories. However, the 28-year-old has on several occasions cast doubt over his medium-term future, most recently expressing dissatisfaction with the characteristics of the new-for-2026 cars under the sport’s revised regulations.
Red Bull’s structured junior programme has historically served as a direct pathway to Formula 1, producing multiple grand prix drivers over the years. Coronel, who officially joins the Red Bull junior ranks and graduates to single-seater competition this season, first captured Marko’s attention during a 2024 test programme.
After running in a Formula 4 car, Coronel was given the opportunity to test a GP3 machine — a significant step that underlined Marko’s belief in his potential.
“For his age, Rocco performed extraordinarily,” Marko said in a Viaplay documentary following Coronel’s development.
“A GP3 car like that is already quite a fast car, but he did very well.”
“He was immediately the fastest. I'm sure that when Max Verstappen stops, we might already have his successor in place.”
Marko also highlighted Coronel’s maturity and structured approach to balancing education with racing, qualities considered essential within the Red Bull development system.
“He is already very mature and exudes confidence. He explained how he combines racing with school and together we soon knew a route for him.”
Coronel is set to compete full-time in Spanish Formula 4 this season as part of his progression through the junior ladder. Since coming under Marko’s guidance in late 2024, the Dutch teenager revealed that he has received regular congratulatory messages from the notoriously demanding advisor.
“That’s very positive, because my understanding is that he normally doesn’t praise anyone so quickly,” Coronel explained.
Although Marko stepped away from his role overseeing Red Bull’s junior structure at the end of 2025, his endorsement signals that Coronel is viewed internally as a serious long-term project. With Verstappen continuing as the team’s competitive reference point in Formula 1, Red Bull appears to be laying the groundwork for the next generation within its development pipeline.
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