Italian GP: Driver Lineup Shuffled as Two Replacements Anno...

Italian GP: Driver Lineup Shuffled as Two Replacements Announced for FP1

The opening session of the Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza will see notable changes to the Formula 1 grid, with two rookies stepping in as part of the sport’s mandatory young-driver program. Both McLaren and Alpine have confirmed adjustments to their lineups, offering valuable track time to promising talents.

At McLaren, Alex Dunne will once again be behind the wheel, replacing championship leader Oscar Piastri for the first practice session. Dunne already made his F1 debut in Austria earlier this season, fulfilling one of McLaren’s rookie obligations. The 19-year-old Irishman admitted he was thrilled at the chance to drive at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

“My first outing in Austria was incredibly special for me,” Dunne said ahead of the session. “To get another opportunity at Monza, a track with so much history, really puts a big smile on my face. I’m hoping I can build on my performance from Austria, continue learning, and give useful feedback to support both Lando [Norris] and Oscar going into the race.”

Over at Alpine, Estonian youngster Paul Aron will be stepping into Franco Colapinto’s car for FP1. Aron, who currently competes in Formula 2 and has been part of Mercedes’ junior program, is highly regarded as one of the sport’s rising stars. The session at Monza marks his first official appearance in an F1 race weekend.

These changes come in line with a regulation introduced by Formula 1 in 2022 and expanded for the 2025 season. Each team is now required to give rookie drivers — defined as those with no more than two F1 race starts — two FP1 sessions per car across the season. The initiative aims to provide young drivers with much-needed experience in current F1 machinery while giving teams an opportunity to evaluate talent under real race weekend conditions.

Full FP1 Driver Lineup for Monza

Despite the temporary shake-ups, most of the grid will remain unchanged for the first practice session. The confirmed FP1 lineup is as follows:

Red Bull: Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton
McLaren: Alex Dunne, Lando Norris
Mercedes: George Russell, Kimi Antonelli
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll
Alpine: Pierre Gasly, Paul Aron
Sauber: Nico Hülkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto
Williams: Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon
Haas: Ollie Bearman, Esteban Ocon
Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar

This grid highlights the mix of seasoned champions, established midfielders, and rookies taking valuable steps toward potential F1 futures.

Spotlight on the Rookies

For Dunne, Monza represents a chance to solidify his growing reputation after a confident first showing in Austria. His ability to provide constructive feedback and adapt quickly to F1 machinery has impressed McLaren, and another clean, productive session would further strengthen his credentials.

Aron, meanwhile, is seizing his very first shot at F1 track time. With Alpine struggling to find consistent performance this season, the team is eager to see how the Estonian approaches the challenge. His F2 campaign has already shown flashes of speed and composure, and a smooth run at Monza could accelerate his path toward a full-time F1 seat in the future.

Looking Ahead

While these FP1 appearances will not directly impact the Italian Grand Prix starting grid, they play a significant role in shaping the next generation of F1 drivers. With Formula 1 placing a stronger emphasis on nurturing young talent, fans at Monza will get an early look at two names who could feature prominently in the sport in the years to come.

As the tifosi prepare for Ferrari’s home race, attention will also be on how Dunne and Aron handle the pressure of driving at one of F1’s most celebrated circuits.