Esteban Ocon will become the 75th driver in F1 history to surpass 100 Grand Prix starts when he takes to the grid for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. Ocon's milestone puts him just ahead of the 99 Grands Prix started by Sir Jackie Stewart and Robert Kubica in F1's all-time list of appearances, and the Frenchman has talked up his accomplishment. "Getting to triple digits in F1 is an achievement any driver would be proud of," he said. "You can say it's a number that reflects consistency in the sport and shows I am an established driver with good experience. "My dream was always to get to Formula 1, so it will feel good to say that I have taken part in 100 races with many more to come. "I am another driver now. I know a lot more about the sport, how to set up a car, how to work with a Formula 1 team. It feels good, very emotional, I would say. "And my last 50 have better than the first 50, including podiums and a victory. There have been many highlights."
Three teams, one GP win for Ocon's first 100 races
Ocon began his F1 career midway through 2016 with tailenders Manor, before two seasons partnering Sergio Perez at Force India. Though highly rated in the F1 paddock, Ocon was moved aside for Lance Stroll when the Canadian's father bought the cash-strapped outfit and renamed it Racing Point, forcing him onto F1's sidelines for 2019. A season as Mercedes' test and reserve driver followed, before Ocon found himself back on the grid with Renault in 2020. Though largely shaded by teammate Daniel Ricciardo, Ocon finished the season strongly with second place in the Sakhir Grand Prix. Staying at the renamed Alpine squad for 2021, the Frenchman would break his Grand Prix duck in Hungary, when he kept his head amid chaos at the start to score a surprising but well-deserved maiden victory. Going into his 100th Grand Prix, Ocon currently sits ninth in the 2022 Drivers' Championship with 38 points, nine ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso. The Frenchman also holds F1's record for the most consecutive Grand Prix finishes from the start of his career, with 27.
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