News summary
- Paul Aron will replace Pierre Gasly in FP1 at the 2026 Italian GP, marking another opportunity for Alpine’s reserve driver.
- The Estonian will make his fourth FP1 appearance of the season, having previously driven for Alpine in Hungary and for Audi in Barcelona and Austria.
- Aron will also work in Alpine’s Enstone simulator after FP1, helping the team refine its setup ahead of the rest of the Monza weekend.
Alpine announced Tuesday (September 1) that Paul Aron will take part in FP1 at the Italian GP, the 13th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season. After replacing Franco Colapinto in Hungary, the team’s reserve driver will now take Pierre Gasly’s seat for the session that opens the Formula 1 weekend at Monza.
The decision means Aron is set for his fourth FP1 appearance of the 2026 campaign. The Estonian previously drove Audi’s car in Barcelona and Austria as part of the partnership between the two teams. Overall, this will be the 22-year-old’s ninth participation in Formula 1’s top category.
“I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel in FP1 with the team this weekend. I’m grateful to the team for giving me the opportunity to get back in the car so quickly. I was very pleased with my session in Budapest and hope to build on that this time, especially by helping the team compare our latest upgrade package, which I have already driven in the simulator,” Aron said in an Alpine statement.
“It will be a very busy weekend for me, as I’ll be in the simulator in Enstone on Friday evening to further help the team refine the setup before returning to the track on Saturday. I’ll give it my all and hopefully help the team have a successful weekend,” he added.
Aron’s FP1 appearance is part of Alpine’s ongoing development program, giving the team another opportunity to gather feedback from a reserve driver while evaluating its latest package. The Estonian’s simulator work after the session will also allow Alpine to correlate his track impressions with data from Enstone.
The Estonian’s return is part of a broader rotation of young or reserve drivers in FP1 at Monza. Colton Herta will replace Sergio Pérez at Cadillac, while Luke Browning will take Alexander Albon’s seat at Williams.
For the complete timetable, see the Italian GP 2026 schedule and session times at Monza.
The 2026 Formula 1 season returns this weekend, from September 4 to 6, at Monza. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the Italian GP, the 13th round of the season.
FAQ
1. Why is Paul Aron replacing Pierre Gasly in FP1 at Monza?
Alpine is giving reserve driver Paul Aron another opportunity to drive during an official F1 weekend, allowing the team to gather feedback and evaluate its latest upgrade package.
2. How many FP1 sessions has Paul Aron driven in 2026?
The Italian GP will mark Aron’s fourth FP1 outing of the 2026 season. He has driven for Alpine in Hungary and for Audi in Barcelona and Austria.
3. Will Paul Aron continue working with Alpine after FP1?
Yes. Aron is scheduled to work in Alpine’s simulator at Enstone on Friday evening, helping the team refine the car’s setup before returning to the track on Saturday.
