Paul Aron began 2024 as an outsider, overshadowed by more flamboyant names and powerful teams in the Formula 2 paddock. Yet by the end of the season, the Estonian driver had established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the series, with the most podiums and poles, and a third place finish in the standings. Despite these achievements, Aron remains without a racing seat in Formula 1 in 2025—a stark reminder of the brutality of the F1 ladder.
From Neglected to Reserve: The Rise of Aron at Alpine
Aron's breakthrough came in November 2024 when he was named Alpine's reserve driver, a hard-earned reward after years of being ignored. “It felt like happiness, not relief,” Aron said of the announcement, calling it validation of his hard work.
However, his promotion came with significant conditions. Alpine's reserve bench is now crowded with heavyweights like Franco Colapinto and Ryo Hirakawa. Colapinto, with funding and experience from nine F1 races, is well placed to be favorite for a 2025 seat if current driver Jack Doohan falters. That leaves Aron a distant third in the priority order.
Navigating Through a Rocky F2 Course
Aron's journey to F1 was not easy. After Mercedes dropped him in 2023, Aron joined Hitech GP, where he began to shine. At the start of the 2024 season, he led the F2 championship, accumulating seven podiums in the first 14 races. Yet although his qualifying performance improved midway through the season, his race results fell. Bad luck struck him in Hungary with a clutch problem and in Belgium with an engine failure, disrupting his quest for the title.
Despite these setbacks, Hitech team principal Oliver Oakes praised Aron's resilience. “Being dropped by Mercedes, going through all that, then fighting for the championship all year—that shows mental toughness,” Oakes said.
A Well-Filled Reserve Team
Alpine's decision to integrate Colapinto and Hirakawa complicates Aron's path. Williams' rapid acquisition of Colapinto underlines Alpine's confidence in the Argentine driver, while Hirakawa, already scheduled for FP1 sessions, has opportunities that Aron will not.
Adding to the intrigue, Victor Martins, who once seemed destined for a seat in F1, has now been pushed to the sidelines. Martins' disappointing 2024 F2 season saw him finish seventh, and although he is still part of Alpine's academy, his future seems more likely in endurance racing or Formula E.
The Long Road to F1
For Aron, his role as a reservist is a step forward but far from a guarantee. He acknowledges the challenges ahead, stating, “We never get there [en F1] alone. You need good people around you, and you need a good team.”
While Alpine monitors Doohan's performance, Aron's hopes rest on the opportunities created by possible underperformance or unforeseen changes. Yet with Colapinto waiting, Aron faces an uphill battle.
A Burst of Hope
Aron's prospects in F1, while uncertain, are brighter than they were before his Alpine deal. Her story is one of persistence, resilience and quiet determination in a sport that often overlooks those without big titles or major funding.
“It's not a racing seat, but it's a step in the right direction,” Aron thought. For now, he's waiting, watching and preparing for when his opportunity might present itself—knowing he'll have to fight just as hard off the track as he does on it.
