Alpine deploys reserve driver for Monza FP1
Alpine will field reserve driver Paul Aron in FP1 at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Aron takes Pierre Gasly's seat for the session while Franco Colapinto runs the new upgrades package. The move gathers comparative data on the A526 evolution ahead of the rest of the weekend.
Alpine confirms FP1 plan
Alpine will run reserve driver Paul Aron in Friday's first practice session at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.[1] Aron replaces Pierre Gasly in the A526 for the opening hour while Franco Colapinto completes the session in the second car.[2]
The Estonian has already driven for Alpine once this season in Hungary. He previously appeared in FP1 sessions for Audi earlier in 2026. The Monza outing forms part of the team's ongoing development programme.
Upgrade comparison focus
Colapinto receives the latest aerodynamic package for Monza. Both cars now run the same specification for the first time this season. Aron's run in Gasly's chassis provides direct feedback on the new parts against the baseline set-up.
Simulator follow-up
Aron returns to the team's Enstone base immediately after FP1 for simulator work. The session helps refine set-up choices before Saturday running resumes.
Related reading
- [1]Paul Aron set for next FP1 run with Alpine at Monza (formula1). Accessed 2026-09-02.
- [2]Paul Aron to get Alpine F1 drive again, this time at Monza (err). Accessed 2026-09-02.