03/09/2025 14:03
Alpine has announced that Paul Aron will take part in the first
free practice session at the Italian Grand Prix, taking the place
of Franco Colapinto. The Estonian is one of Team Enstone's reserve
drivers, along with Jack Doohan, but has not competed in FP1 for
the French squad so far this year. Aron has taken part in two such
sessions, for Stake, at Silverstone and the Hungaroring, but only
the now-departed Ryo Hirakawa has satisfied one of Alpine's four
rookie FP1 session requirements for the campaign. That run-out came
in place of Doohan in front of the Japanese driver's home fans at
Suzuka. In deputising for Colapinto, Aron will therefore complete
the second of two required rookie FP1 sessions on the second
Alpine. "I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the
A525 for my first grand prix weekend appearance with the team in
Monza," the 21-year-old said. "I've got to know everyone really
well since I joined at the end of last year as test and reserve
driver and appreciate the trust the team has given me to drive in
Friday's Free Practice 1. "I'm aiming to do as good a job as
possible to help set up the car for the whole weekend and be in the
best position to have a competitive race weekend from the outset.
"Personally, it will be great to build on the experience I've
gained from the simulator and testing opportunities. I'll make sure
I use this to have an enjoyable and productive session for both me
and the team." Pierre Gasly has yet to be replaced in the other
Alpine, so he will miss two of the final FP1 sessions of the
campaign. Both of which will likely see Aron return to the cockpit
of the A525.
