Esteban Ocon, the French Formula 1 driver currently racing for Haas, is a name synonymous with perseverance, talent, and an unrelenting drive to succeed. Born on September 17, 1996, in Évreux, Normandy, Ocon’s journey to the pinnacle of motorsport is a compelling tale of sacrifice, resilience, and triumph over adversity. While his headline-making victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and his battles with the sport’s elite like Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso have cemented his reputation, there’s much more to Ocon than meets the eye. Beyond the podiums and the spotlight, his story is peppered with intriguing details that reveal the depth of his character and the unique path he’s carved in a fiercely competitive world.
Here, we uncover eight lesser-known facts about Ocon that showcase the man behind the helmet and the extraordinary circumstances that shaped his career.
1. His family lived in a caravan to support his karting dreams
Ocon’s early racing career demanded immense sacrifice—not just from him, but from his entire family. When he was a promising karter, his parents, Laurent and Sabrina, sold their family home and garage business in Évreux to fund his ambitions. With no fixed abode, they lived in a caravan, traveling from circuit to circuit across Europe. Ocon even used the caravan as a motorhome during race weekends, a stark contrast to the privileged upbringing of some of his peers.
2. He nearly quit racing for a job at McDonald’s
Despite his talent, Ocon’s path wasn’t always certain. Financial struggles and the pressure of breaking into motorsport’s upper echelons once pushed him to the brink of abandoning his dreams. In a candid revelation, Ocon admitted he contemplated giving up racing entirely to take a job at McDonald’s.
3. He speaks four languages fluently
Ocon’s talents extend beyond the cockpit. In addition to his native French, he’s fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian—a skill set that reflects his adaptability and international upbringing. His paternal family hails from Málaga, Spain, which likely sparked his interest in Spanish, while his time in motorsport’s global arena honed his linguistic abilities.
4. He beat Max Verstappen to a major title
While Max Verstappen is often hailed as a generational talent, Ocon got the better of him in 2014, winning the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Driving for Prema Powerteam, Ocon clinched the title with three races to spare, finishing ahead of Verstappen and Tom Blomqvist. He racked up nine wins and 15 pole positions in 33 races, showcasing a consistency that outshone Verstappen’s raw speed that season.
5. His first F1 test was a prize for winning a championship
Ocon’s initial taste of Formula 1 machinery came as a reward rather than a planned step. After securing the 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship, he was given a two-day test with Lotus in the Lotus E20 at Circuit Ricardo Tormo on October 22, 2014. A week later, he drove the Ferrari F10 at Fiorano as an additional prize.
6. He holds a record for consecutive race finishes
Reliability is a hallmark of Ocon’s racing style, and he once held an impressive record to prove it. From his F1 debut at the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix with Manor through to the 2017 United States Grand Prix with Force India, Ocon completed 27 consecutive races without retiring. This streak surpassed Max Chilton’s previous record of 25 and highlighted his ability to nurse a car home, even in the underperforming Manor machine.
7. He was sacked to make way for a team owner’s son
Ocon’s career hit a dramatic snag in 2018 when he was dropped by Racing Point, then known as Force India. The team’s new owner, Lawrence Stroll, acquired the outfit mid-season and prioritized a seat for his son, Lance Stroll, forcing Ocon out despite his solid performances alongside Sergio Pérez. Relegated to a reserve role with Mercedes in 2019, Ocon’s resilience shone through as he bided his time before returning to a full-time seat with Renault in 2020.
8. He’s the tallest driver on the current F1 grid
Standing at 1.86 meters (6 feet 1 inch), Ocon is the tallest driver in the 2025 Formula 1 lineup. His height is notable in a sport where smaller, lighter frames are often advantageous for fitting into cramped cockpits and optimizing car weight. Despite this, Ocon has adapted seamlessly, maintaining a competitive edge across his 156 Grand Prix starts as of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.