Paul Aron will also stay with Alpine in 2026. The French team has confirmed to GPblog that the Estonian will once again be the regular test and reserve driver next season.
It comes as no surprise that Aron will continue at Alpine after the year's end. This season, he has proven to be a valuable asset, logging many thousands of kilometers in the simulator. There, he tested, among other things, the French team’s 2026 car.
This Friday, Aron stepped in for Pierre Gasly during the first free practice session in Abu Dhabi. In total, the youngster racked up a total of five FP1 outings, in representation of Sauber as well.
Whether Aron will compete in other series in parallel to the tasks he will take on for Alpine in 2026 is not yet known. The Estonian would like to, but the choice is not his to make.
Moreover, it is expected that Aron will have his hands full contributing to the further development of the new Alpine F1 car, which is set to premiere the upcoming F1 2026 technical regulations overhaul.
Dunne an option for Alpine?
British media report that Alex Dunne may also be given a role at Alpine. The Irishman was, until recently, part of McLaren’s academy. Red Bull briefly showed interest, but a potential deal fell through. For now, the Enstone-based outfit dismisses these rumors as speculation.
F1 news for the Abu Dhabi GP
Want to stay up to date with the latest news on Lando Norris and Max Verstappen’s fight for the world championship? Then listen to GPblog’s brand-new F1 TODAY podcast, in which editor-in-chief Tim Kraaij, Formula 1 purist Gandor Bronkhorst, and host Thierry Bakker discuss the latest news. Watch the video below on YouTube or listen via Spotify.
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