Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, renowned for his sharp eye in spotting and nurturing young talent, has identified 13-year-old Rocco Coronel as the next big name in Formula 1. Marko, who played a pivotal role in Max Verstappen’s early debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso, believes Coronel could potentially fill Verstappen’s shoes if the reigning champion ever leaves the Milton Keynes team.
Marko, who has helped transform Verstappen into one of the sport’s most dominant figures—already boasting three world titles—now sees similar promise in the young Dutch driver. “If Max leaves one day, I’m confident we have his successor in Rocco. He’s shown incredible skill at just 13 years old, even younger than when we scouted Max. Among his peers, Coronel is truly exceptional,” Marko stated, signaling the youngster as a future star.
Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but Marko’s proactive search for emerging talent is a sign that the team is already preparing for the long-term future. Given the uncertainty over Verstappen’s long-term commitment beyond 2028, scouting and developing the next generation has become crucial.
Highlighting a broader trend in Formula 1, Marko pointed to the success of other young drivers like Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Haas’ Oliver Bearman. Antonelli is set to join the Silver Arrows in 2025, while Bearman has already made strides at Haas. Marko also praised Franco Colapinto for his strong performances with Williams, noting that investing in young talents is becoming increasingly common across the grid.
“The youth movement is making a comeback,” Marko said. “What we used to pioneer is now being mirrored by Mercedes with Antonelli and Haas with Bearman. And look at Colapinto—thrown into the deep end by Williams, he’s delivered outstanding results in his first three races.”
Marko’s focus on young drivers underscores Red Bull’s strategy to stay competitive long-term by grooming future champions from a young age. As the current crop of talent continues to prove their worth, the 81-year-old Marko remains committed to ensuring Red Bull stays ahead of the curve in developing the next generation of F1 stars.
