F1 star hails 'experience of a lifetime' WRC drive

Haas F1 driver Ocon has been a long time admirer of rallying and at the Goodwood Festival of Speed the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix winner was handed an opportunity to drive the WRC championship-winning Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. The drive was facilitated by an ongoing technical relationship between Toyota Gazoo Racing and the Haas Formula 1 team.

Toyota WRC driver Takamoto Katsuta drove the Frenchman around Goodwood’s 1.5-mile gravel Forest Rally stage, before handing the steering wheel to Ocon.

Ocon has previously driven course cars at rallies but this was his first taste of a current WRC Rally1 machine, and it didn’t disappoint a driver who is used to driving 200mph F1 cars for a living.

“It was a huge opportunity for me. I was dreaming for that day to happen one day, honestly it was an experience of a lifetime, one of the best experiences in motorsport. I’m not afraid to say it was incredible,” said Ocon.

“I got the best welcome here it and everyone has given me the right advice. With Takamoto on my side it was the best advice I could get. I got a feel of a proper rally stage which was incredible, this car is something else.

“I will push like hell for Takamoto to have a go in the F1 car, it might not happen this time but for sure he will jump in and have a go [in the future].”

Ocon wasn’t the only F1 driver to sample WRC machine at the renowned motorsport festival as Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson piloted an M-Sport-Ford Puma around the stage.

The WRC will be back in action this week when the championship swaps the Goodwood Festival of Speed for the fast gravel stages of Rally Estonia, which hosts the eighth round of the series.

Watch every WRC and ERC rally this year on DAZN's 24-hour dedicated Rally TV channel. For more information on prices, subscriptions and more, click here .