While preparing for his forthcoming car racing debut after some promising preliminary tests in Formula Renault 2.0, Esteban Ocon wanted to leave karting, which gave him so much satisfaction, with an important title in his pocket. And that is exactly what he did, since the driver from Equipe de France became French KF3 Champion with panache and determination. For Esteban Ocon, who has been supported for two years by Gravity Sport Management, this new achievement will certainly stimulate him to aim even higher...
French Champion Minime, French Champion Cadet and now French Junior (KF3) Champion in only four years and at just 15! No other driver ever achieved such stunning results before Esteban. He was considered from a very young age one of the most talented drivers of his generation, and Esteban Ocon has always tried to improve, in order to continue keep winning year after year.
Coming on the Essay circuit with a solid lead in the French Championship, he perfectly managed a weekend where his competitors were waiting to catch him out. "When I am there, at the start of a race, my goal is going for the top step of the podium", Esteban declared. "But this time, my priority was to conclude my job, i.e. conquering my third French Champion title".
During the first racing day, he drove with confidence and effectiveness. He set the fourth best lap time during timed qualifying, he was 3rd in the pre-final, and then 2nd in the final race. His performance was sufficient to enable him to wear the Championship crown already on Saturday night. "A great relief", he whispered. Esteban Ocon was definitely the best performer during the whole of the KF3 season: nine podiums out of 10 races, including two victories, a 5th place as his worst result, three pole positions, four victories in the pre-finals and two fastest laps. A stunning list of achievements!
There was certainly less at stake for him on Sunday, but Esteban did not rest on his laurels, though. In fact, he took the second step of the podium, but not without winning the pre-final behind the wheel of his FA Kart-Vortex from the Genikart team.
This 2011 season was definitely a successful one for Esteban Ocon. Just missing out on a podium at the World Cup, the driver from the Rosny 93 Club concluded the prestigious WSK Euro Series in second place, with three podiums, including a victory, in five meetings, not to mention a second place at the South European Trophy and the rank of best Frenchman at the European Championship.
"My karting season is not over yet, but I am also focussed on my debut in Formula Renault 2.0. In fact, I am racing at the Eurocup and at the Northern European Cup (NEC) in 2012. Before that, there will be several days of tests with the Korainen Motorsport and a first contact with racing at the Winter Series in the UK. I am highly motivated to meet this new challenge", concluded the French KF3 Champion 2011.
Esteban Ocon at the ERDF Masters Kart at Bercy
The talented French driver has recently been informed that he will be one of the 10 hopefuls selected to attend this very important and popular event, to be held on 10 and 11 December. The return of a kart racing meeting to Paris-Bercy promises to be an explosive event, animated by the presence of some great names from international car racing, with Sébastien Loeb on top of the list...