Alpine Shakes Things Up: Paul Aron to Step in for Franco Colapinto at Italian GP!
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, Alpine has announced that rising star Paul Aron will take the wheel during the opening practice session at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix in Monza. This decision sees the young Estonian replacing Franco Colapinto for the all-important 60-minute session, as the team fulfills its mandatory rookie outing requirements.
With the F1 2025 season in full swing, teams are obliged to showcase a rookie driver in Free Practice 1 for each car on two occasions. This weekend marks Alpine’s second such outing, having previously given the nod to Ryo Hirakawa at the Japanese GP in place of Jack Doohan. The stakes are high as this is not just a routine practice; it’s an opportunity for Aron to demonstrate his prowess on a Grand Prix weekend.
Alpine made the announcement with palpable excitement: “Test and reserve driver, Paul Aron, will get his first opportunity to drive for the team during a Grand Prix weekend in Free Practice 1.” This will be Aron’s third appearance in Free Practice 1 this season, but his debut with the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team. His journey to this point has been nothing short of a whirlwind—having honed his skills with the team in the simulator throughout the year, participating in the TPC (testing previous cars) program, and conducting Pirelli tire tests, Aron is more than ready to seize this chance.
What does this mean for Colapinto? The 21-year-old driver has faced mounting pressure as doubts about his performance loom large. Flavio Briatore, a prominent figure in the F1 world, has openly questioned whether Colapinto has met expectations, intensifying speculation about his future with the team. Aron’s appearance in Italy could serve as a critical assessment for Alpine as they evaluate their driver lineup for the coming seasons, potentially positioning Aron as a contender for a race seat alongside Pierre Gasly next year.
For context, a rookie, as defined by F1 regulations, is a driver who has participated in no more than two races. While Colapinto and Alpine have navigated through challenges, Aron’s involvement in Free Practice 1 is a clear signal that the team is exploring its options. Notably, despite Jack Doohan meeting the rookie criteria, Alpine opted not to include him in the earlier outing, ensuring that Aron’s participation fulfills their obligations with Colapinto’s car.
Adding to the intrigue, Gasly has yet to miss any session this season but will need to sit out two future practices, likely during the Mexico City and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. As the drama unfolds, all eyes will be on Paul Aron this weekend. Will he rise to the occasion and prove himself worthy of a permanent seat, or will the shadows of uncertainty continue to loom over Alpine’s driver lineup?
As we anticipate the Italian GP, the stakes have never been higher, and the F1 community is buzzing with excitement over this unexpected twist. Stay tuned as we bring you all the developments from Monza!
