« Of course, I’ve racked up many laps there already, but racing on my home circuit for the first time is really cool! » It is obvious that Rocco Coronel is really looking forward to the British Ginetta Junior Championship round at Mascot Circuit Zandvoort. This Saturday and Sunday (26 and 27 July), the series will run a total of three races during the Caterham Weekend, with free admission for spectators. « I hope that this will attract extra visitors and I’m looking forward to putting on a good show, » the 14-year-old Dutch Red Bull Junior driver says.
With his racing debut at the Zandvoort circuit, Rocco Coronel is adding a new chapter to his family’s rich racing history, as his great-grandfather, motorcycle racer Bertus van Hamersveld, grandfather Tom Coronel Sr., father Tom Coronel and uncles Tim, Jip and Raymond have all raced at Zandvoort. « I completed the racing drivers’ course there and I know my way around Zandvoort pretty well,’ laughs Rocco Coronel. When asked about his favourite parts of the track, he mentions the Hugenholtzbocht (the banked corner behind the race control tower) and the Scheivlak section at the back of the track in the dunes. You can really go fast there, » he explains. On the other hand, he finds the Mastersbocht the most difficult section. « Finding the right balance there isn’t that easy. »
On Thursday and Friday, there will be a total of six test sessions for the participants in the Ginetta Junior Championship in preparation for the weekend. « Everyone will have plenty of time to test, so there’s no real home advantage, » Coronel expects. « Don’t forget that everyone is fast, the margins are incredibly small, which is what makes the competition so exciting. But maybe that can help, because there are only a few places at Zandvoort where you can really overtake. If they try to do that where it’s not possible, it usually goes wrong, and that could be to my advantage. »
One thing that is different for Coronel compared to his rivals is that he will be sleeping at home this weekend. « It’s not that far from home to the circuit, so I prefer to sleep in my own bed, take a nice shower at home, wear my own clothes and eat well. The camper at the circuit is fine, but this weekend I’m glad I can sleep at home, » he says honestly.
Because admission is free this weekend, Coronel has not received any additional requests for tickets. « But of course we do have a lot of extra guests from partners, 20 from one company, 30 from another, all people who want to follow the action up close, » he says. « What’s more, we have the Red Bull VIP box at Zandvoort, so you can bet I have a busy schedule. I don’t mind that at all, I can handle it, because if you can’t, you’d better do something else. And whatever else is going on, racing comes first! »