Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron is set to make his Formula 1 free practice debut at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, driving for Kick Sauber in an unprecedented agreement between the two rival teams. The 21-year-old Estonian, who finished third in the 2024 Formula 2 championship, will take the wheel of Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber C45 for the first practice session (FP1) this weekend, with a second outing planned at the Hungarian Grand Prix later in July.
This arrangement allows Sauber to fulfill its mandatory rookie practice requirements under FIA regulations while providing Aron with valuable track time in a competitive Formula 1 environment.
The deal comes as Sauber, lacking a dedicated reserve driver for 2025 after the departure of academy members Theo Pourchaire and Zane Maloney, sought assistance to meet the FIA’s rule that each team must allocate four FP1 sessions per season to drivers with no more than two Grand Prix starts, unless they already field a rookie. With Gabriel Bortoleto, a designated rookie, already fulfilling two of Sauber’s required sessions, Aron’s participation in Silverstone and Hungary completes their obligation. Meanwhile, Aron remains a key part of Alpine’s setup, continuing his reserve driver duties and simulator work at their Enstone base, with three additional FP1 sessions for the French team scheduled later in the season.
Aron expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “I am very pleased to have this chance to drive in Formula 1, thanks to Alpine for making this arrangement. My goal is to race full-time in F1 one day, and every track session is a crucial step toward that.” He emphasized his commitment to giving maximum effort for Sauber at Silverstone and Budapest while continuing his development with Alpine. The young driver, who previously tested Alpine’s F1 cars and competed in Formula E events, is seen as a promising talent after his strong F2 campaign, where he secured a feature race win in Qatar and four pole positions.
Alpine’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, highlighted the strategic value of the agreement, noting, “Maximizing driving opportunities for our young talent is in our interest, so this deal with Sauber for Paul to drive in FP1 at Silverstone and Budapest is a positive step. Paul was a front-runner in Formula 2 last year, and this is a chance for him to gain valuable experience.” The move is particularly notable given the competitive tension between Alpine and Sauber, who are battling closely in the constructors’ championship, with Sauber currently ninth and Alpine tenth.
The arrangement has sparked speculation about Alpine’s driver lineup, especially as current race driver Franco Colapinto faces pressure to improve after a challenging start to 2025. Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan earlier in the season, has yet to score points, and rumors suggest Alpine may consider alternatives like Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas if his performance doesn’t improve. Aron’s FP1 outings could position him as a potential candidate for a future race seat, adding intrigue to his upcoming performances.