Exclusive Interview: Esteban Ocon on His New Chapter in Formula 1

A Conversation with Esteban Ocon

GlobeAir Ambassador on His Career, Goals, and Life Beyond the Track

Esteban Ocon, a long-standing GlobeAir Ambassador, is preparing for an exciting new chapter in his Formula 1 career. With 156 Grands Prix starts, four podiums, and a race victory, the French driver has established himself as one of the sport’s most consistent and determined competitors. As he takes on new challenges in 2025, we caught up with Esteban to discuss his transition, preparation, and how private jet travel with GlobeAir plays a role in his performance on and off the track.

A New Chapter in Formula 1

Fresh Challenges and Renewed Determination

As Esteban embarks on this new phase of his career, he is ready to embrace the challenges ahead. Reflecting on his transition, he shared:

"I am feeling great. I am definitely ready for a new challenge and it has been really good to meet the team and to be already hard at work preparing the new season. To be honest I am mostly excited to get back in the car, to compete, and to give it my best, and really work alongside everyone to push this team forward and try and maximise every weekend. I can’t wait!" — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

Joining a new team means adapting to new engineers, processes, and an entirely different working environment. Esteban explains how he approaches this transition:

"Of course moving teams means meeting new people, learning new names, getting used to new processes, a new culture, a new working environment, new equipment etc. So it is important to be really involved from the get-go and prepare as early as possible so that when it comes down to the first race, you know you have prepared well and done all the basics to hit the ground running. For example, the Abu Dhabi test at the end of last year was crucial to get to know the car and the trackside team early on and right away be aware of the main things we need to focus on. So spending as much time as possible with my new team in this early period is really key to form a cohesive working environment." — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

Staying at the Top: The Mindset of a Champion

Preparation, Resilience, and the Pursuit of Excellence

Formula 1 demands intense physical and mental discipline. Ocon’s approach to maintaining peak performance is rooted in consistency and hard work:

"To be an elite athlete at this level and keep up with the mental and physical demands of F1 you really need to have the discipline to put in the work, it’s as simple as that. You also need to have the right people around you to support and help you reach your goals on and off the track. During the off-season, I spend almost all day, everyday at my training centre working on various things to be able to improve the physical and mental side. And in between race weekends during the season, I also spend time at my training centre focusing on recovery as well as further physical work, including some race-specific preparation." — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

Over the years, resilience has become one of Esteban’s greatest strengths. When asked about the key lessons he takes into this new phase of his career, he responded:

"For sure the experience will help. I think that will be the main one. This will be my fourth team as a full-time driver not counting the year I was reserve driver at Mercedes but where I also of course learned a lot. Throughout my many years racing, and not just in F1, I have learned to adapt to new conditions quickly and I know myself better than ever so I know the key elements I need to focus on to perform." — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

As for his personal goals for the season ahead?

"I think for me the main thing will be to adapt as quickly as possible to this new environment. And I want to get to the end of the year knowing I did everything I could on and off the track to perform at a my best level. And having no regrets knowing I gave it my all every single day! That’s all I can ask of myself." — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

The Role of Private Jet Travel in an F1 Career

Maximising Time and Performance with GlobeAir

With a calendar that demands extensive travel across the globe, private jet travel has become an essential tool for Esteban Ocon. GlobeAir provides him with the flexibility and efficiency needed to balance his demanding schedule and optimise his recovery time:

"GlobeAir gives me valuable time back when I need it most. Having the flexibility to be able to take-off 10 minutes after arriving to the airport allows me to use that valuable gain in time to do the things that help my performance. In this sport, every second counts and that includes being very efficient outside of the car too. I can’t think of too many funny anecdotes at the moment but I can tell you that GlobeAir has saved me many times and gotten my team and I out of some tricky situations!" — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

Private jet travel isn’t just about comfort—it’s about maintaining a competitive edge. With over twenty races per season, minimising downtime between commitments is crucial:

"When you add up all the time one year that I would otherwise spend waiting at an airport, it is hundreds of hours, especially with the amount of flights we take during a season. GlobeAir allows me to have that time back to be able to use it in other productive ways. And I am very fortunate and thankful to be able to do that!" — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

Life Beyond the Track

Dream Destinations and a Passion for Speed

Away from the circuits, Esteban enjoys his love for cars and discovering new travel destinations.

"I am lucky to have a few cars in my collection now. As many of you know, I am a big petrol head and cars are my passion. If I am not driving one, you can bet I am around something with an engine during my spare time. There are many cars I love and really enjoy driving but nothing beats the feeling of driving on the limit of an F1 car." — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

When asked about his favourite holiday destinations, Esteban shares:

"I already travel so much during the year for my job that sometimes I like to just stay home during the holidays. But I have been lucky to go to a few cool places the last couple years during the summer break and would definitely recommend the south of France and the Balearic Islands in Spain. We had a great time by the sea there. I’ve also heard great things about Greece so I am looking forward to perhaps spending a bit of time there this summer! Anywhere where there is sun and water, (and a jet ski!) I am happy!" — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

And would he ever consider becoming a pilot one day?

"I never really thought about it but why not! I do love everything with an engine. Who knows maybe after my driving career is over I can have the time to study for and pass my pilot’s license. I hope GlobeAir hires me if I do!" — Esteban Ocon, Interview with GlobeAir

Looking Ahead

A Season of New Possibilities

As Esteban Ocon takes on his next challenge in Formula 1, his focus remains on pushing himself to the limit and making the most of every opportunity.

At GlobeAir, we are proud to support Esteban on his journey, helping him maximise his time and performance both on and off the track.

We look forward to following his 2025 season and wish him the very best in this exciting new chapter!