Esteban Ocon secured his maiden Formula One victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, a milestone achievement during his tenure with Alpine. Born in 1996 in Évreux, France, Ocon rose from a working-class background, relying on family sacrifices to fund his early karting career before establishing himself as a permanent fixture within the international racing circuit.
Early Development and Junior Categories
Ocon began competitive karting at age nine, rapidly progressing through national and international ranks. By 2008, he had secured the French Cadet title, and by 2011, he finished as the runner-up in the WSK Euro Series. His transition to single-seaters commenced in 2012 with the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. In 2014, he claimed the FIA Formula 3 European Championship title with Prema, securing nine wins and fifteen pole positions. He followed this in 2015 by winning the GP3 Series with ART Grand Prix, earning fourteen podium finishes across eighteen races.
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Following testing sessions with Lotus and Ferrari, Ocon made his Formula One debut at the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix with Manor, replacing Rio Haryanto. He joined the Mercedes Junior Team in 2015 and served as a reserve driver for Renault before transitioning to Force India in 2017. He remained with the team through its transition to Racing Point until the end of the 2018 season.
Alpine and Career Evolution
After a year as a reserve driver for Mercedes in 2019, Ocon returned to full-time competition with Renault in 2020, achieving his first podium at the Sakhir Grand Prix. In 2021, while partnering with Fernando Alonso at the re-branded Alpine team, he won the Hungarian Grand Prix. During his time at Alpine, he became the first teammate to outscore Alonso over a championship season in 2022. Ocon secured additional podiums in 2023 at the Monaco Grand Prix and in 2024 at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Recent Movements and Personal Background
Ocon concluded his final season with Alpine in 2024 and signed to drive for Haas for the 2025 season alongside Oliver Bearman, with a contract extending through 2026. Born to Sabrina Khelfane and Laurent Ocon, his family roots trace back to Spain and Algeria. Beyond his native French, he is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian. As of 2022, he resides in Geneva, Switzerland.
Fast facts
- Born: 17 September 1996, Évreux, France
- Formula One debut: 2016 Belgian Grand Prix
- Maiden F1 victory: 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix
- 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Champion
- 2015 GP3 Series Champion
- Current team (2025 onwards): Haas
- Residence: Geneva, Switzerland
Questions readers ask
Which Formula One teams has Esteban Ocon driven for?
Ocon has driven for Manor, Force India, Racing Point, Renault, Alpine, and Haas.
What is Esteban Ocon's record in Formula One?
As of the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, he has achieved one race win, four podium finishes, and one fastest lap.
Achievements
- Worked as racing automobile driver and Formula One driver
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