Rookie Paul Aron takes over Gabriel Bortoleto’s car in Formula 1 free practice at the Austrian GP
Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto will not be present in the initial free practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix. The Audi team announced that Paul Aron, from Estonia, will take the wheel of Bortoleto’s car this Friday (26). This change is part of Formula 1 regulations, which require teams to field rookie drivers in official activities throughout the season to develop new talent and acquire practical experience in F1 cars.
Paul Aron, who acts as Alpine’s reserve driver, was selected by the German team to make two appearances during the 2026 season. He had already participated in the opening of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, when he took Nico Hulkenberg’s place. The turn to replace Gabriel Bortoleto on the Red Bull Ring circuit is next.
The collaboration between Paul Aron and the team is not new to motorsport. The Estonian driver had previously worked in sessions with the Swiss team Sauber before its transition to its current setup as an Audi. Its repeated lineup aims to support the continued improvement of the vehicle in the championship’s free practice sessions.
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Until the previous season, each main driver was obliged to release his car only once during the championship. However, for the year 2026, Formula 1 has expanded this determination to two sessions per driver, doubling the opportunities for emerging talents. Therefore, both Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg will need to make another compulsory participation before the end of the calendar.
Details about the eighth stage of Formula 1 in Austria
Formula 1 continues its 2026 season at the Austrian Grand Prix, scheduled for June 26th to 28th. The Red Bull Ring circuit, located in Spielberg, will be the stage for the eighth stage of the calendar. The start of the main race is scheduled for 10am (Brasília time) on Sunday (28).
