Formula 1: Filming for a Colapinto teammate | Paul Aron to participate in practice sessions in Silverstone and Hungary

Alpine, the team of Argentine Franco Colapinto, announced this Monday that Paul Aron, one of its reserve drivers, will participate in the first free practice sessions of the British and Hungarian Grand Prix with the Sauber team following an agreement between the two teams. “I am very happy for this opportunity to gain valuable track time in Formula One,” said the Estonian.

The Swiss team, which has German Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto as its main drivers, did not announce reserve drivers this year, and according to Alpine’s statement, will utilize Aron’s performance in Silverstone and Hungaroring to comply with the regulations imposed by the FIA that require young drivers (with no more than two race participations) to take part in practice sessions. Sauber only needs to fulfill two sessions in this calendar, as Bortoleto started his season without experience in the Grand Circus, making Hulkenberg’s car the one that “must” still complete its double participation of a rookie.

While the Hinwil-based team welcomed Aron, Alpine stated that, despite the agreement, the Estonian “remains a key member of the team” and that after his participations with Sauber, “he will complete the remaining three mandatory rookie sessions for the team in 2025, the dates of which will be confirmed soon.” It is worth noting that Alpine has only completed one free practice session with an inexperienced driver in the top tier: it was at the Japanese Grand Prix, when local Ryo Hirakawa was featured in the first session in Suzuka, after which he was immediately announced as the new reserve driver for HAAS, a team he remains with.

Sauber, in its official statement, announced that, after the first free practice in Silverstone, Aron “will return to Alpine for the rest of the weekend.” While agreements between teams are expected in Formula 1—in 2023 German Mick Schumacher was a reserve simultaneously for Mercedes and McLaren due to an arrangement between both teams—this time, the oddity lies in the fact that Alpine and Sauber are direct competitors for points. Although the green and black cars have shown better performance than their Alpine counterparts—notably in recent races—and lead them in the constructors’ championship, it is true that their drivers battle on the track race after race.