Formula 1 Singapore GP
Esteban Ocon on school struggles: ‘My headmaster told me to stop racing’
Ocon reflects on tough times in his childhood, when his classmates mocked him and his headmaster chastised him
Ben Vinel
Edited: Oct 13, 2025, 3:41 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Esteban Ocon, Lotus F1
Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Any Formula 1 driver can rightfully say they didn’t quite have the same childhood as regular kids, but that’s even truer as far as Esteban Ocon is concerned.
Ocon’s parents ran his early karting career on a tight budget; they even had to sell their house and automobile repair shop and live in a caravan to make ends meet, with father Laurent his mechanic and engineer.
While the youngster won multiple French championships and moved on to international competitions, the ever-increasing travelling requirements took a toll on his schedule – as well as his ability to mingle with his classmates and his academic prospects.
“I’d come home from the race on Sunday night; in the morning I’d wake up in front of the school,” Ocon recounted in an interview on French YouTube channel Legend. “It was easier that way when we drove back, as we didn’t exactly have a place to stay. We stayed at my cousin’s most of the time, we parked our caravan there. But as it was already very late, we gained time by parking in front of the school, then I went straight to class.
“So no, I didn’t have a lot of friends. Many told me: ‘You’re a gypsy, what are you doing here?’. I have great respect for the itinerant community – they actually sold us the caravan! [My classmates] made fun of me, and it wasn’t easy, for sure.
Esteban Ocon at the 2013 Macau Grand Prix
Photo by: Sutton Images via Getty Images
“I missed quite a lot of classes, because on Fridays we needed to go to free practice. Even the school’s headmaster, at the time, told me: ‘You’ve got to stop doing this. Frankly, you’re not going anywhere. This is a rich man’s sport. There’s no point in you doing this.’ Well, sir, thanks for ruining my dreams, but I made it!
“It’s sad, telling a 10- or 11-year-old child that he can’t make his dream come true.”
Read Also:
Ocon said he moved to long-distance schooling when he was 14, with teachers mailing him lesson plans that his mother Sabrina led. He eventually was signed by the Enstone-linked Gravity Sport Management agency, which boosted his career until he joined the Mercedes young driver programme following his European F3 title success.
“I do not recommend doing what we did to any youngsters, because school is very important,” the current Haas driver insisted. “You need to work hard at school, you never know what the future has in store for you.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Susie Wolff maintains defamation case against FIA as "ongoing" update issued
Next article Haas F1 unveils United States GP livery with nod to American roots
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Ben Vinel
Cadillac reveals date for F1 engine factory debut, thanks drivers for being “patient”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
14 h
Cadillac reveals date for F1 engine factory debut, thanks drivers for being “patient”
Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater F1 practice debut
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
15 h
Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater F1 practice debut
More from
Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon responds to Haas signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
12 h
Esteban Ocon responds to Haas signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon
Formula 1
Belgian GP
You Ask The Questions: Esteban Ocon
Latest news
MotoGP Australian GP: Marco Bezzecchi leads Aprilia 1-2-4-5 in Friday Practice
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
MotoGP Australian GP: Marco Bezzecchi leads Aprilia 1-2-4-5 in Friday Practice
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
9 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe