Aron joins Alpine as 2025 F1 reserve driver

Formula 2 title contender Paul Aron has been announced as Alpine’s 2025 Formula 1 reserve driver.

Aron replaces Jack Doohan, who will assume a full-time race seat next year following Esteban Ocon’s move to Haas.

The  20-year-old sits fourth in the F2 drivers’ standings and, after securing pole for this weekend’s Qatar feature race, still has a mathematical chance of claiming the title.

The switch will see the Estonian link back up with Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes, who founded Aron’s current team, Hitech Grand Prix, in 2015.

“It’s incredibly special to be joining BWT Alpine Formula One Team,” said Aron.

“It is clear that this is a great place to be for any young driver and I’m really pleased that Flavio [Briatore, executive advisor] 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.”

Aron is currently ranked as the second-best rookie in the standings, behind only Sauber-bound championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto, who will join him on the front row in Sunday’s F2 feature race.

“We are very pleased to have Paul join BWT Alpine Formula One Team as our 2025 reserve driver,” said executive advisor, Flavio Briatore.

“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.”

While the appointment comes with limited surprise given the previous relationship between Oakes and Aron, it will inevitably raise questions on the future of fellow F2 driver Victor Martins, who was a part of the academy between 2018-19, and rejoined in 2021.

A previous F3 champion, Martins took part in the World Endurance Championship rookie test with Alpine but did not feature on the manufacturer’s recently announced 2025 driver roster and is yet to confirm his plans for the year.