An ambitious five-year plan is set to bring Red Bull junior Rocco Coronel (14) as close as possible to Formula 1. This year, the rookie is making waves in the British Ginetta Junior Championship. The son of Tom Coronel and Paulien Zwart also attends a private school in Hilversum. It’s the only way for him to somewhat combine school and his racing career. For him, it sometimes feels like a life of extremes. From racing with a F1 career in sight to being back in the classroom.
“Sometimes it’s really tough, but it’s necessary,” says Rocco Coronel. “Today, I had two tests. So far, it’s going very well, especially since 3 Havo is generally considered the most difficult year. Do I enjoy the variety? No, school is not fun. It’s necessary. And I know it’s necessary, because if racing doesn’t work out in the end, you need something to fall back on. Otherwise, you’ll get nowhere.”
Tom Coronel: “It’s up to you. It’s your life. But we did say at home: if you don’t make it through school, we’re done.”
Rocco: “That’s a good motivation.”
Tom: “Rocco pointed out to me a while ago that Max Verstappen has a new boat and asked if I had seen it. To which I responded: ‘Do you want a boat like that? Then there’s one thing you need to arrange. And then you’ll have the most beautiful boat, the most beautiful house, and the most beautiful plane. All you have to do is be two-tenths faster than everyone else.”
