Alpine has announced a driver change for the opening practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend. Regular driver Franco Colapinto will not participate in Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the Hungaroring. His car will instead be driven by Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron.
This alteration is in compliance with Formula 1 regulations, which mandate teams to field a rookie driver in four practice sessions throughout the season. These sessions are split with two appearances allocated to each of their cars.
Paul Aron, an Estonian, serves as a reserve driver for Alpine. This will mark his first FP1 appearance for the Enstone-based team during the current 2026 season.
Aron has previously gained F1 experience this year, having participated in two FP1 sessions for Audi. He drove for the team at the Barcelona and Austrian Grands Prix last month, gaining valuable track time.
Colapinto, who is a full-time race driver for Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly for the 2026 season, will return to his car for Friday’s second free practice session. He will then continue with the remainder of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend as scheduled.
The Argentine driver has experienced an improved 2026 campaign. He currently holds 12th position in the drivers’ standings, 23 points behind his teammate Pierre Gasly.
Colapinto has secured points finishes in six of the ten rounds held so far this season. His most recent points came at the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, where he finished 10th.
Alpine is not the only team making such a change for the Hungarian Grand Prix. McLaren will see Oscar Piastri replaced by Leonardo Fornaroli for FP1.
Similarly, Haas will substitute Oliver Bearman with Ryo Hirakawa for the session. Cadillac is also set to field Colton Herta in place of Valtteri Bottas.
‘I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the A526 for my first Free Practice 1 with the team this season. I have driven the car in our simulator back in Enstone all year and it will be very valuable to get on track and get a feel myself for the real thing,’ Aron stated.
Aron also noted his positive performances in three FP1 sessions last season and aims to build on those opportunities to assist the team throughout the weekend.
