Rocco Coronel has been taken on board by the Red Bull Junior Team as the youngest-ever Dutch driver. In a three-day test at the circuit of Jerez in Spain, the 13-year-old driver from Eemnes in The Netherlands was able to convince the selection committee with his performance, also in Formula 4 and GP3 machinery. Numerous other aspects were assessed as well. « I am honored to be chosen as one of the Red Bull Junior Drivers, » Coronel says. « My dream is of course to become an F1 driver. With this opportunity my dream is getting realistic. I have always followed the Red Bull drivers and how they have grown in the sport. And now I am getting to be one of them. »
As a member of the well-known Coronel motorsport dynasty, it was only logical that Rocco would find his way to motorsport as well. « I was already in a kart when I wasn’t even four years old, » he tells. Both his mother Paulien and his father Tom raced at a high international level. They even raced together in the European Touring Car Championship.
Under the guidance of his father Tom, Rocco has been doing really well in various international karting competitions for some years. « To be able to support him in the best possible way, I slightly scaled down my own motor racing activities, » Tom Coronel explains. « That he still has what it takes became clear once again last weekend as he became runner-up, together with his teammates, in the Michelin 992 Endurance Cup, a twelve-hour race for Porsche Cup cars at the Spa-Francorchamps circuits. »
« I still love to race, but I also thoroughly enjoy supporting and coaching Rocco, » Tom Coronel continues. « I am sometimes surprised myself how fast his development is going. Of course, he still makes mistakes, there is still plenty of room for improvement. What do you expect, he is only 13! At that age, one can do nice things, but there is still a lot to learn and I like to help him with that. »
Rocco, in turn, appreciates this support: « When I make a mistake, we try to find out why and what I can do better the next race. My dad, my mom, my sister Carmen and my coach Leon, who comes to the circuits with us, are really important for me! »
His achievements in karting led to the invitation for the Red Bull Junior Team shoot-out, in which eleven young drivers were allowed to participate. Rocco was among the youngest, but he did well right away. He reports: « Just push, don’t think too much, show what you are capable of, that was the mindset I had going into the event, and it worked out pretty well! I was quick, but other aspects were taken into account as well. We had to do interview, data analyses, we were observed all the time, but that is logical as they don’t just select everyone at Red Bull! »
As a Red Bull Junior Team member, Rocco Coronel can now count on professional support, from personal advice regarding fitness and nutrition to simulator sessions. For next year, his focus will still be on karting with an additional programme planned in as well. Due to his age, Formula 4 is only possible in 2026, but there is no doubt that people will hear from Rocco Coronel before that as well!