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Alpine F1 Team

Alpine confirm Franco Colapinto replacement for Italian GP FP1

Alpine will run Paul Aron in the first free practice session at Monza, in place of Franco Colapinto.

Alpine has announced that Paul Aron will take part in the first free practice session at the Italian Grand Prix, taking the place of Franco Colapinto.

The Estonian is one of Team Enstone's reserve drivers, along with Jack Doohan, but has not competed in FP1 for the French squad so far this year.

Aron has taken part in two such sessions, for Stake, at Silverstone and the Hungaroring, but only the now-departed Ryo Hirakawa has satisfied one of Alpine's four rookie FP1 session requirements for the campaign.

That run-out came in place of Doohan in front of the Japanese driver's home fans at Suzuka.

In deputising for Colapinto, Aron will therefore complete the second of two required rookie FP1 sessions on the second Alpine.

"I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the A525 for my first grand prix weekend appearance with the team in Monza," the 21-year-old said.

"I've got to know everyone really well since I joined at the end of last year as test and reserve driver and appreciate the trust the team has given me to drive in Friday's Free Practice 1.

"I'm aiming to do as good a job as possible to help set up the car for the whole weekend and be in the best position to have a competitive race weekend from the outset.

"Personally, it will be great to build on the experience I've gained from the simulator and testing opportunities. I'll make sure I use this to have an enjoyable and productive session for both me and the team."

Pierre Gasly has yet to be replaced in the other Alpine, so he will miss two of the final FP1 sessions of the campaign. Both of which will likely see Aron return to the cockpit of the A525.

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