Alpine gives youngster Abu Dhabi Grand Prix opportunity

11:38, 03 Dec

Updated: 11:56, 03 Dec

0 Comments

byKada Sarkozi

Alpine's Paul Aron will drive in the first free practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Each driver has to hand their car over to a driver with at most two Grand Prix starts twice in free practice sessions over the course of the season.

At the final round, Pierre Gasly will hand his can over to the 21-year-old Estonian driver.

BWT Alpine Formula One Team

@AlpineF1Team

·Follow

Paul's back for his third and final FP1 session 💙 Heading back where he got behind the wheel of an F1 car for the first time, it'll be another weekend of valuable learning 💪

9:30 AM · Dec 3, 2025

644

Read 8 replies

Aron has already competed in four FP1 sessions previously this year: twice for Sauber at Silverstone and at the Hungaroring, and twice for Alpine in Italy and Mexico City.

Team also confirmed that F2 driver Kush Maini will drive during the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit on next Tuesday.

Recently, it has been announced that Pato O'Ward will drive for McLaren, and Cian Shields will replace Fernando Alonso for Aston Martin.

Paul Aron in the F1 paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

Aron looks ahead to Abu Dhabi opportunity

The youngster is excited for his fifth session of the year. He said: "I am looking forward to being back behind the wheel of the A525 this weekend in Abu Dhabi for my third Free Practice session with the team, and fifth of the season.

"The performances in Monza and Mexico City were very positive for my personal development as a driver and I’m looking forward to building on that for a final time this year.

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to take part in the post-season test at this track last year - a very fond memory for me as it was my first time in a Formula One car - and I am grateful to the team for giving me this latest opportunity again in Abu Dhabi. I will do my best to help set up a successful race weekend for the team."

Check out the latest episode of GPblog's F1 Paddock Update here!

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the Formula 1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.