Alpine loans Paul Aron to Sauber for FP1 sessions at Silverstone and Hungary

Alpine has reached an agreement with Sauber to loan their reserve driver — Paul Aron. The Estonian driver will replace Nico Hulkenberg in first practice sessions at the Silverstone and Hungarian GPs.

Sauber — which still lacks a reserve driver this year — needs rookie drivers to fill two of the four mandatory FP1 sessions in the 2025 season. The other two rookie slots have been filled by Gabriel Bortoleto who just scored his first points with eighth place at last week’s Austrian GP.

“I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to have valuable track time in Formula 1, so thanks to the Alpine Formula 1 team for coming to this arrangement,” said Aron. “It is no secret that my desire is to one day race full-time in Formula 1 so any chance to be on track in a competitive environment is an important stepping stone.”

Aron — who has undergone an intensive private testing program with Alpine this year — will return to his reserve duties at Alpine after completing the FP1 sessions with Sauber. The 21-year-old driver will also handle the remaining FP1 schedule for the Enstone team.