Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron is set to take part in the Free Practice 1 session at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. He will be driving the Alpine A526 car, stepping in for Pierre Gasly during this initial track time.
Aron’s involvement in FP1 at Monza follows his previous outings this season, where he has gained experience in three FP1 sessions. He drove twice for Audi at the Spanish and Austrian Grands Prix, and once for Alpine at the Hungarian Grand Prix. This will mark his second FP1 run with Alpine in 2026.
After completing his track duties in Monza, Aron will continue to support Alpine by working on the simulator at their Enstone base. This work is aimed at helping the team with car setup and development, particularly with the latest upgrade package that Alpine introduced at the previous race in Zandvoort. Both Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto will be running this upgrade during the Monza weekend.
Paul Aron has expressed enthusiasm about returning to the track and contributing to Alpine’s efforts with the new package. His role as a reserve driver includes not only gaining valuable track time but also providing feedback that can influence the team’s performance in upcoming sessions.
Alpine’s decision to give Aron FP1 track time at Monza fits within the broader strategy of integrating reserve drivers into the race weekend programme. This approach allows the team to gather additional data and offers promising drivers the chance to familiarize themselves with the car and circuits under race conditions.
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix weekend will see Alpine focusing on the latest upgrades, with Gasly and Colapinto running the updated A526. Aron’s FP1 session will provide further insights that could assist the team in fine-tuning their setup for the high-speed Monza circuit.
This FP1 opportunity highlights the ongoing role of reserve drivers like Aron in supporting Formula 1® teams beyond race day, combining on-track experience with simulator work to enhance overall team performance during the season.