Esteban Ocon celebrates a decade in Formula 1, reflecting on the lessons learned and his evolution as a driver. As Haas prepares for the Belgian Grand Prix, Ocon remains optimistic about upcoming upgrades and the team's potential.
Esteban Ocon is marking a milestone at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, celebrating ten years since his first race in Formula 1. It’s been a whirlwind decade for the Frenchman, who debuted at Spa-Francorchamps in 2016 with Manor Racing, and has since driven for Force India, Alpine, and now Haas. Reflecting on his journey, Ocon shared, “Crazy to think it's been 10 years. Time flies, really.” Despite the years, he feels as though he’s only just begun, and his excitement for the sport remains undiminished.
Ocon's debut was a baptism by fire, sharing the grid with legends like Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, and Kimi Raikkonen. “It was quite special. I did a good job because I'm here 10 years later, so it's okay,” he quipped. The biggest takeaway from his career so far? He’s a very different driver now, but his motivation to push the car to its limits remains unchanged.
Haas hasn't had the easiest season, starting strong with points from Ollie Bearman in Australia and Japan, but they've since struggled to keep up with midfield rivals like Racing Bulls and Alpine. Yet, Ocon remains hopeful. With upgrades coming this weekend, he believes they can turn things around. “It's been a tough couple of races as a team,” he admitted. “We are chasing a bit of performance at the moment.”
Silverstone showed potential with Ocon climbing to P11, but the pace wasn’t enough to sustain those gains. “We need to find more performance,” he said, highlighting the need for improvements. Despite the challenges, he trusts the team to bounce back. “I’ve got trust in the team that we hopefully will not stay in that position and we will improve.”
As Haas prepares for the Belgian Grand Prix, Ocon’s reflections on his decade in F1 serve as a reminder of the resilience and passion that drive the sport. He remains committed to pushing the limits, both for himself and his team, embodying the spirit of a driver who’s grown but never lost his hunger.