Esteban Ocon Opens Up About His Toughest Year Away From F1

Esteban Ocon has revealed the emotional impact of missing the 2019 Formula 1 season, describing how uncertainty and missed opportunities pushed him to tears.

Esteban Ocon has reflected on one of the most difficult moments of his Formula 1 career, revealing how missing the entire 2019 season as a full-time driver left him emotionally devastated. The Frenchman admitted he broke down in tears after realizing his return to the grid would have to wait despite being one of the sport’s brightest young talents.

Although he served as Mercedes’ reserve driver, Ocon described the experience as one of the toughest periods of his professional career.

A Promising Career Suddenly Stalled

During the 2018 season, Ocon was enjoying strong performances with Force India and had positioned himself as one of Formula 1’s most promising young drivers.

However, a series of driver market changes dramatically altered his future:

• Renault opted to sign Daniel Ricciardo.
• McLaren completed a deal with Carlos Sainz.
• Mercedes renewed Valtteri Bottas’ contract.

Those decisions ultimately left Ocon without a race seat for 2019.

Esteban Ocon spent the 2019 Formula 1 season as Mercedes’ reserve driver.

The Moment That Broke Him

Ocon explained that one of the hardest moments came after learning he would not be testing the Mercedes until months into the season.

After leaving the circuit, he admitted he could no longer contain his emotions.

“I went back to the rental car and cried,” Ocon revealed, explaining how important every opportunity behind the wheel was for preparing his return to Formula 1.

Despite not racing, he focused on simulator work, technical development and supporting Mercedes throughout the championship.

Ocon says the uncertainty of 2019 became one of the toughest challenges of his career.

Determined to Return

Rather than giving up, Ocon used the year to stay prepared for another opportunity.

He worked extensively with Mercedes’ engineers, completed simulator programs and gathered technical knowledge that would later help him return to Formula 1 with Renault in 2020.

His perseverance eventually paid off when he claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.

A Career Defined by Resilience

Looking back, Esteban Ocon believes the difficult experience strengthened him as both a driver and a person. Although the lost season delayed his career, it also reinforced the determination that ultimately helped him return to the Formula 1 grid and become a Grand Prix winner.

Ocon eventually returned to Formula 1 and secured his first Grand Prix victory with Alpine.