Photo: Alpine
Paul Aron has joined the Alpine Formula 1 team as its reserve driver for the 2025 season.
The deal comes a year after Aron parted ways with the Mercedes junior programme, which had supported him since karting.
While it’s understood that Mercedes was only prepared to support a second season of Formula 3 for Aron in 2024, he preferred to make the step up to Formula 2 alone and has a strong rookie campaign with Hitech GP.
He led the championship having scored seven podiums from as many rounds in the first half of the year, and while he has since slumped to fourth and remains without a win, he took his fourth pole of the season in Qatar on Friday.
That was the day before Alpine announced his new role, one that has been rumoured ever since Hitech boss Oliver Oakes was brought in its team principal in July by advisor Flavio Briatore.
“It’s incredibly special to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team,” he said. “It is clear that this is a great place to be for any young driver and I’m really pleased that Flavio and Oliver have given me this opportunity.
“Before 2025 and the hard work that will come with being the team’s Reserve Driver, I have a championship to focus on for the remainder of this year and I will be giving it my all to compete for the title. I’m looking forward to really beginning the work and continuing my career pathway in motorsport.”
Briatore added: “There is a generational shift in Formula 1 at the moment, as we see with many young drivers coming into the sport and making an impact. We believe Paul is one of the best talents and we look forward to developing him into an F1 driver.”