Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron topped the time sheets during Pirelli's 2026 tyre testing sessions in Hungary, with a lap time of 1:18.789.
The 21 year old Estonian completed 159 laps during the first day's session on August 5.
Aron went quicker than 2025 World Champion contender Lando Norris and Racing Bull's Liam Lawson.
Alpine's main duo Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto were set to complete their testing runs on August 6, but a big crash from Colapinto disrupted the French team's programme.
The second day's disrupted session saw Ferrari's Charles Leclerc go quickest, with a 1:19.407 lap.
The focus of the sessions was to test Pirelli's C3, C4 and C5 compounds for the 2026 championship, where the tyres are set to be narrower under the new incoming technical regulations.
The end of the test will now see Formula 1 take a mandatory two-week summer shutdown. The season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix, beginning on August 29.
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Who is Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron?
The Estonian was part of the Mercedes Junior Team from 2019-2023, rising through the ranks of lower motorsport divisions.
He most recently competed in Formula 2, and finished third in the championship standings for the 2024 season before being signed as Alpine's reserve driver.
He has not been competitively racing for the 2025 season, putting his full focus into Alpine development.
The Enstone-based team released Aron to Kick Sauber during the British Grand Prix, where he took part in Free Practice 1 at Silverstone and did the same again in Hungary.
Formula 1 news and related links:
Franco Colapinto unhurt after crash during tyre testing in Hungary
- Norris holds of Piastri to win in Hungary