Helmut Marko Hails Young Red Bull Prospect as Long-Term Max Verstappen Heir

Helmut Marko has revealed that the young Dutch prodigy Rocco Coronel could be the 'Next Max Verstappen' in the motorsport world.

Helmut Marko Hails Young Red Bull Prospect as Long-Term Max Verstappen Heir

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (via Red Bull)

In Short
  • Helmut Marko identifies Rocco Coronel as a potential successor to Max Verstappen.
  • Coronel will transition to single-seater racing in 2026, starting with GP3.
  • Marko praises Coronel's maturity and speed, highlighting his impressive performance for his age.

Max Verstappen has remained one of the greatest talents to grace Formula 1. The Dutchman has broken many world records in the sport and continues to do so. After joining the sport back in 2015, Verstappen has kept up with dominant results and etched his name alongside the legends like Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and many others.

None of the drivers has been able to replicate Max Verstappen‘s performance for quite some time. Moreover, those teaming up with the Dutchman at Red Bull have cracked under pressure and are unable to defeat him at Milton Keynes. Now, former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko reveals who can be a true successor to the four-time champion’s legacy in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Helmut Marko was known as one of the greatest talent seekers for Formula 1, as he was responsible for bringing in the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and even Max Verstappen to Red Bull and F1. As such, Marko certainly has a great track record when it comes to selecting drivers of high calibre. The Austrian now asserts that Red Bull’s junior driver Rocco Coronel is the ‘next Max Verstappen’.

Rocco Coronel will graduate to single-seater competition in 2026 as a Red Bull junior driver. The Dutch prodigy will race in a GP3 machine following a Formula 4 test. Helmut Marko revealed that Coronel was incredibly fast for his age, especially in the way he drove the GP3 car. Marko added that the young gun was immediately fast and that the world might already have found the next Max Verstappen.

For his age, Rocco performed extraordinarily, 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. 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.

Helmut Marko told Viaplay.

Rocco Coronel reveals ‘positive feelings’ following Helmut Marko praise

Certainly, it is a big deal to be praised and applauded by Helmut Marko. The Austrian, despite his problematic time in the final years at Red Bull, remained one of the crucial figures to the team. Marko was present at the Austrian constructor ever since its early days and worked with the team. As such, after listening to the praise from the 82-year-old, Rocco Coronel didn’t feel anything but pride in himself.

Rocco Coronel (via Trackside Legends)
Rocco Coronel (via Trackside Legends)

Rocco Coronel pointed out that Helmut Marko’s comments were very positive for him. He revealed how Marko wasn’t easily so praiseful of any other drivers. Amongst many other Red Bull junior drivers, Marko decided to label Coronel as the next Max Verstappen, which in itself is a massive achievement. Hence, it will be interesting to see where the Dutch prodigy moves next following his GP3 entry.

That’s very positive, because my understanding is that he normally doesn’t append anyone so quickly.

Rocco Coronel said, as reported by RacingNews365.

Rocco Coronel already comes from a family of drivers. Tom Coronel is already a motorsport legend, having made his name in Touring Car categories, Endurance racing categories, and several formula racing categories. As such, Coronel Jr. will have great guidance if he ever decides to move up the leagues and race in the pinnacle of motorsport.

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