Esteban Ocon Eyes Drift Championship Outing, Proposes Seat Swap
Haas F1 driver Esteban Ocon has expressed interest in trying professional drifting, proposing a temporary seat swap with drift champions. The Frenchman, who has WRC experience, sees it as another thrilling challenge, following in the footsteps of Yuki Tsunoda's recent drift masterclass.
Haas F1 driver Esteban Ocon has expressed a keen interest in temporarily swapping his single-seater for a drift car, proposing a seat exchange with professional drifters. The Frenchman, who has already sampled the World Rally Championship, views drifting as another thrilling motorsport discipline to experience, highlighting the diverse driving challenges available outside Formula 1.
Why it matters:
While F1 drivers are renowned for their precision, exploring other forms of motorsport like drifting showcases their raw car control skills and passion for driving in its purest form. These cross-discipline experiences can offer fresh perspectives and even influence their approach in F1, while also broadening the sport's appeal to different fan bases.
The details:
- Ocon, who joined Haas for the 2025 season, revealed his interest during an interview with F1.com, stating a desire to try drifting "for a day."
- He cited his previous experience in the World Rally Championship as "insane," emphasizing the wealth of driving disciplines he's yet to explore.
- The 29-year-old admitted that racing has been his lifelong focus, but acknowledged he will eventually need to consider life beyond F1.
- If he proceeds, Ocon would follow the lead of VCARB's Yuki Tsunoda, who recently completed a drift masterclass.
By the numbers:
- 5: The number of Formula Drift championships won by James Deane, the professional drifter who coached Yuki Tsunoda.
- 1100+: The horsepower figure of the Ford Mustang RTR that Deane used to demonstrate advanced drifting techniques to Tsunoda.
Between the lines:
Ocon's comments reflect a growing trend among modern F1 drivers to engage with grassroots and spectacle-focused motorsports. This desire connects them more directly with car culture at large and demonstrates a genuine enthusiasm for driving that extends beyond the highly regimented world of Formula 1. It’s a reminder that at their core, these athletes are car enthusiasts first.
What's next:
While no formal plans are announced, Ocon's public interest could pave the way for a future promotional or charity event featuring an F1 driver in a drift car. Such crossovers are popular with fans and sponsors alike. For now, Ocon's immediate focus remains on his first season with the Haas F1 Team, but his curiosity suggests more extracurricular driving adventures are likely in the years to come.