Max Verstappen’s future continues to be a hot topic within Red Bull, but at the same time the Milton Keynes-based team’s junior academy is already looking ahead. And according to Helmut Marko, a potential successor to the Dutch champion may already be in plain sight.
The former Red Bull advisor openly spoke about young Dutch talent Rocco Coronel, identifying him as one of the most promising prospects in the junior programme. It is a significant endorsement, considering the immense impact Max Verstappen has had during the team’s dominant cycle of world titles and consecutive victories.
In a documentary produced by Viaplay, Marko recalled a 2024 test that particularly impressed him. After driving a Formula 4 car, Coronel was promoted to a GP3 machine — a much more demanding and powerful single-seater.
“For his age, Rocco performed in an extraordinary way,” Helmut Marko said. “A GP3 car is already very fast, but he did really well. He was immediately the quickest. I am sure that when Max Verstappen stops, we could already have his successor ready. He is already very mature and gives off confidence. He explained to me how he combines racing with school, and together we quickly defined a path for him.”
The key role of Red Bull’s junior programme
Marko’s comments once again underline how central the Red Bull junior programme remains to the team’s long-term strategy. Over the years, this pathway has brought several drivers all the way to Formula 1 and continues to serve as a breeding ground for carefully developed talent.
Coronel is set to contest a full season in Spanish Formula 4, a crucial step to consolidate his development and gain valuable single-seater experience. It will be an important test to determine whether the high expectations placed upon him are truly justified.
The young Dutch driver also spoke about his direct relationship with Marko, highlighting how meaningful the Austrian’s encouragement has been for his career. “This is very positive, because I know he normally doesn’t give compliments that easily,” Coronel explained.
Meanwhile, reflections about Verstappen’s own future remain in the background, particularly after some comments regarding his feelings about the new cars introduced under the 2026 regulations. Such a scenario inevitably pushes Red Bull to plan ahead and identify the potential stars of the next generation.
It should be noted, however, that Marko no longer directly oversees the junior programme after stepping down from the role at the end of 2025. Even so, his endorsement of Coronel carries significant weight and highlights how determined Red Bull is to secure a future capable of matching the Verstappen era.
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