Aron from Alpine to Sauber: F1 debut and rumors about the future

Paul Aron, Alpine reserve driver, joins Sauber for F1 practice

Estonian driver Paul Aron, currently a reserve for Alpine, has been loaned to Sauber to participate in the practice sessions of the upcoming Formula 1 events at Silverstone and Budapest. Aron will make his debut with the team in Friday’s practice for this weekend’s British Grand Prix. Sauber, which still doesn’t have a reserve driver for the season, needed a rookie to compete in two FP1 sessions this year, according to regulations. This agreement with Aron increases the intrigue surrounding Alpine’s driver lineup.

Paul Aron will drive for Sauber in the upcoming F1 practice events.Alpine replaced Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto in Imola, but the Argentinian has not met the high expectations created by his successful career with Williams last year. The de facto team boss, Flavio Briatore, has suggested that Colapinto’s performance needs to improve if he wants to finish the season. Sources indicate that Alpine is considering a third driver change if there isn’t a significant improvement from Colapinto, who hasn’t yet scored a point since his debut with the team. Aron’s participation in two practice sessions in the pre-summer races could generate speculation about whether Alpine will seek to make a change during the four-week August break.

There are other options if Alpine wants to make a change.

Aron finished third in Formula 2 last year, but hasn’t been competing competitively in 2025. Aron will drive Nico Hülkenberg’s car in both Silverstone and Budapest, before returning it to the German driver for the rest of the weekend. The F1 rules state that two rookies must cover four FP1 appearances throughout a season. Hulkenberg’s teammate, Gabriele Bortoleto, is a rookie and, therefore, has already covered the requirement for the other two days.