Esteban Ocon realized a lifelong ambition when he drove a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking a significant moment in his career linked to his connection with the Haas team and Toyota partnership. This unforgettable experience gave Ocon a hands-on chance to explore the capabilities of a World Rally Championship (WRC) vehicle, merging his passion for motorsport with a cherished childhood dream.
A Secret Surprise Revealed at Goodwood Event
The opportunity came as a surprise to Ocon, who initially was unaware he would be driving the WRC car during the event. Upon reviewing his schedule, he noticed a mention of “Esteban, WRC,” which raised his curiosity and excitement. After some playful denials and laughter from Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, the secret was revealed: Toyota had planned for him not just to co-drive, but to take the wheel of the WRC car himself.
“So, I receive it and I start to look at it, and I see ‘Esteban, WRC’,”
Ocon recounted.
“So, I called Ayao [Komatsu, the Haas team principal], saying, ‘Ayao, what’s that? Am I driving the WRC?’ And he’s like, ‘No, no, we just made a mistake.’ And then he starts laughing. And I’m like, ‘Okay, so what is it then?’ He’s like, ‘No, no, actually, you sit as a co-driver.’ And then he laughs again. So I went through all the stages of emotions. But actually, it turned out that Toyota [gave] me a huge surprise. They wanted me to drive the WRC.”
—Esteban Ocon, Racing Driver
A Dream Formed in Childhood Finally Realized
Ocon’s enthusiasm for rally racing has deep roots, going back to when he was just 12 years old. At that age, he dreamed of owning and driving a WRC car once he had found success in Formula 1. He imagined having a road-legal rally car to drive daily, even to mundane places like the shop, unaware that such cars require special permits for competition use.
“That was the experience that I’ve always wanted. When I was young, I had a dream to – one day, if I’m successful enough in Formula 1 – buy a WRC car that I can drive every day. And then go to the shop with it and, you know… I found out about it later: these cars are road legal, but you have to have a special permit for the competition. But when I was 12, that was my dream.”
—Esteban Ocon, Racing Driver
Impressions of the WRC Vehicle’s Engineering and Driving Experience
Ocon found the experience not only thrilling but also technically impressive. He praised the engineering behind the Rally1 car, highlighting its advanced design and user-friendly controls. Comparing the WRC vehicle to DTM cars, he admired the prototype-level craftsmanship and effortless controls such as the smooth steering and easy-to-use handbrake.
“It was super impressive, honestly,”
Ocon reflected.
“With some cars, maybe sometimes you test and, because you drive the F1 cars, you’re a bit blase from everything else. But this was incredible, how super well engineered it is. It reminded me of the DTM cars. It’s basically like, everything is a prototype. But everything is so well thought. The handbrake is super easy, you don’t need to use the clutch. The steering feels super smooth, very easy to use. The throttle is super short in a way that you have to go full throttle straight away. I had a blast.”
—Esteban Ocon, Racing Driver
A Passenger Ride That Enhanced His Perspective
In addition to driving the car himself, Ocon also got the chance to ride alongside Toyota’s rally driver Takamoto Katsuta. This passenger experience brought a new appreciation for the car’s capabilities, especially in terms of grip and handling, which he might have underestimated before.
“And first, you know what was the most impressive? Jumping on the side of Takamoto Katsuta. If I drove it only, I would have thought, yeah, the grip is not that great and all of that. But when I jumped on the side of him, I was like, ‘okay, this is something else.’”
—Esteban Ocon, Racing Driver
Future Rally Ambitions After Formula 1 Career
While Ocon is committed to his Formula 1 journey, he expressed interest in rallying for enjoyment once his F1 career concludes. He clarified that competing in the Rally1 class is unlikely but suggested that he might pursue some recreational testing of rally cars if Toyota offers the chance.
“For fun, after my F1 career, definitely,”
Ocon stated.
“But, it would never be in a Rally1 class. I will probably give them a call to have a test at some point, you know, to have fun for sure – if they let me have the opportunity. But first, to trust me to drive these cars on the rally stage, I will be forever grateful to Toyota, because it’s awesome.”
—Esteban Ocon, Racing Driver
The Significance of Ocon’s WRC Car Experience
Esteban Ocon’s WRC car experience represents more than a special event; it highlights the fruitful collaboration between Haas and Toyota, as well as the respect and trust the manufacturers place in their drivers. For Ocon, this milestone fulfills a dream that stretches back to his childhood and enriches his skills by connecting the worlds of rally and Formula 1 racing.
This unique opportunity at Goodwood may also pave the way for Ocon to explore other facets of motorsport beyond his F1 career. His experience emphasizes the versatility and passion shared by top-level drivers, while also showcasing Toyota’s commitment to engaging their drivers with diverse and exciting challenges in high-performance vehicles.
