Overview
- Alpine confirmed Tuesday that reserve driver Paul Aron will replace Pierre Gasly for Free Practice 1 at the Italian Grand Prix.
- The Monza outing will be Aron's fourth FP1 appearance of the 2026 season after earlier runs for Alpine and two deputising sessions for Audi.
- Alpine says Aron will focus on comparing the team's recent upgrade package on track and carrying out simulator work at the Enstone base to refine set-up.
- Pierre Gasly remains Alpine's race driver for the weekend and is scheduled to begin running from FP2 despite missing the opening practice session.
- The switch fulfils Formula 1's 2026 rule that requires teams to run a rookie in practice on at least four occasions and highlights how teams use FP1 for junior development and controlled upgrade validation.