Alpine F1 team boss and Hitech founder Oliver Oakes says that Paul Aron showed “some mental strength” after getting dropped by Mercedes ahead of his first Formula 2 season.
Aron joined Hitech Pulse-Eight for the 2024 F2 season without Mercedes backing him anymore. The Estonian driver was part of the junior programme for four years.
Throughout the season, Aron showed an excellent performance. He was in the fight for the championship but ultimately finished third in the final standings as 2025 F1 rookies Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar beat him.
For next year, the 20-year-old will serve as the reserve driver for the Alpine F1 Team. He already got to taste the speed of Formula 1 cars during the 2024 post-season tests in Abu Dhabi. Behind the steering wheel of Alpine’s A524, Aron completed 121 laps around the Yas Marina Circuit.
Oakes: Aron had a mega rookie F2 season
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, the Alpine team principal got asked how he would rate Paul Aron’s season in F2. He believes that Aron and the new Sauber F1 driver and 2024 F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto were the best on the grid.
He adds that there were a few mistakes that hurt the 20-year-old.
“I’m going to be biased, to Paul because he was one of mine, aren’t I?“ Hitech owner Oakes started jokingly. “Look, Paul’s done a mega job this year and I think as a rookie in F2, that’s really hard. I think him and Bortoleto have been the class of the field.
”I feel a bit sorry for him because a couple of mistakes on his side, one on the team in the Spa and then obviously [in the Abu Dhabi Sprint Race] we made his life a bit difficult as well.”
Aron was dropped by the Mercedes junior programme at the end of 2023. The German team focused on super talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli in order to prepare him for Formula 1. At the Italian Grand Prix, the 17-year-old has been confirmed to replace Lewis Hamilton from 2025.
”He’s been brilliant and I think again showing some mental strength to be dropped by Mercedes and then go through all of that this year and then fight for the championship all year long. He is definitely a special talent.”
Martins is a big part of Alpine’s junior programme
Then asked on Victor Martins, Oakes said that the Frenchman plays a big part in Alpine’s junior programme. However, he couldn’t comment much on his F2 season.
”Victor’s good. I’ve known him a long time,” Oakes said. “I think obviously I don’t want to comment too much on his F2 season because before I was here, I was in another team, and it’s not fair to judge what he’s going through.
”I think Victor’s a big part of our academy here. And obviously, I guess as I’m new to this, I’m thinking well when do they announce what they’re all doing and how it’s going to be.”
