Paul Aron to drive in FP1 at Silverstone and Budapest with... Sauber

Paul Aron's great debut in Formula 1 will not wait any longer: the Estonian, third in Formula 2 last year, will be on track during Free Practice 1 of the British Grand Prix. Reserve driver ofAlpine, however, it is not with the arrowed A that he will start, but with Sauber, as part of an agreement between the last two teams in the Constructors' standings. Paul Aron will help the Swiss team fulfill its obligations of having a rookie (less than two starts in F1) participate in four test sessions over the course of the season, twice per car.

The Estonian will also line up in Budapest during FP1 of the Hungarian Grand Prix before resuming his place at Alpine, who announced that he will be driving the last three test sessions that the arrowed A must reserve for rookies, after having lined up Ryo Hirakawa at the Japanese Grand Prix.

"I am very happy to be getting valuable track time in Formula 1, and I thank BWT Alpine Formula One Team for this agreement,” Paul Aron rejoices. “It’s no secret that my dream is to one day become a regular in F1. Every drive in a competitive environment is therefore an important stepping stone to achieving this. While remaining focused on my development with Alpine, I am looking forward to the two sessions with Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, and I will give my all at Silverstone and Budapest.”

ALSO READ > Aston Martin launches its young driver academy

Paul Aron at the wheel for three sessions with Alpine

Aron has benefited from six TPCs (tests on cars at least two years old) since signing with Alpine and took part in the tests reserved for young drivers after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last December. A certain experience which will allow him to quickly acclimatize to the Sauber and theAlpine, which he will discover later in the season after having experienced it for hours on the simulator.

“It is in our best interest to provide as many opportunities as possible for our young talent, and that is why we are delighted to have reached an agreement with Sauber for Paul to take part in Free Practice 1 at Silverstone and Budapest,” shares Flavio Briatore. "This season we've seen mixed results among the drivers who competed in Formula 2 last year, and Paul was at the forefront of that category. So this is an opportunity for him and the team to continue to help him progress and give him significant mileage."

Paul Aron will make his FP1 debut with the team this weekend at the #BritishGP, using Nico's car for the first session – in agreement with @alpinef1team 🇬🇧

See you in Silverstone, @PaulAron16 💚 pic.twitter.com/H3hqfF5Zjb

— Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber (@stakef1team_ks) June 30, 2025

For Paul Aron, this agreement seems to be confirmation thatAlpine places hopes in him and imagines him potentially having the level for Formula 1. While Jack Doohan disappointed and Franco Colapinto is not making a much better impression, Flavio Briatore could be tempted to launch the former Hitech driver, protégé of the resigning Oliver Oakes. By driving during five test sessions, Paul Aron benefits from special treatment, in line with what Haas had reserved for Oliver Bearman last year to prepare him for a certain promotion.

This also does a great service to Sauber, which is lacking promising young drivers within its academy to fulfill its obligations towards rookies. Since the departure of Theo Pourchaire, in charge of Free Practice, and Zane Maloney, the Swiss academy rings hollow. The deal with Alpine and Paul Aron is ultimately a three-cushion billiards shot that satisfies everyone.