F1 star triggers BIZARRE safety car with ‘critical’ issue at Hungarian Grand Prix

Potential for rain in Hungary — Photo: © IMAGO

Hungarian Grand Prix

F1 star triggers BIZARRE safety car with ‘critical’ issue at Hungarian GP

Paul Aron has disrupted the first practice session at the Hungaroring

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Friday 1 August 2025 14:10 Updated: 15:18

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Alpine F1 reserve star Paul Aron disrupted running at the first practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend in somewhat strange circumstances.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan to Sauber F1 team and was taking part in Friday's FP1 session at the Hungaroring in place of Nico Hulkenberg.

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However, after less than half of the session's running, Aron took to team radio to complain of an issue with Hulkenberg's F1 machinery.

"I've got systems critical alarm," Aron declared over Sauber's radio communications, before the Estonian stopped on track.

The incident triggered a virtual safety car, an unusual occurrence for FP1, and whilst the issue saw Aron wheeled back to the garage, the session got back underway swiftly.

Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron has been loaned to Sauber for F1 practice sessions

Rookie driver handed Hungarian GP setback

Aron's vital running in F1 machinery was disrupted significantly having only conducted nine laps at the Hungaroring prior to experiencing the issue.

Speaking on Sky Sports' broadcast following Aron's setback, F1 pundit Jamie Chadwick said: "That's disappointing for Paul Aron. It's always an opportunity for a young driver to get time in an F1 car."

"He would have really valued that extra half an hour."

Sky F1 pundit Anthony Davidson initiated further debate over a potential wider issue in Hungary for the Swiss F1 team later on in the session, saying: "I wonder what's going on down there at Sauber and whether they've pulled Bortoleto's car in because of the problem with Aron."

Rachel Brookes then agreed with the sentiment, adding: "They want to investigate maybe, just check it's not something on both cars."

Both Aron and his temporary team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto were brought into the Sauber garage and finished the session as the bottom two cars among the order.

Alpine agreed to a mid-season driver swap ahead of the British GP in July, where reserve driver Aron was loaned to Sauber for the FP1 session in Silverstone.

Friday's hour of running in Hungary marked his second time out at the wheel of Hulkenberg's car as part of F1's mandatory requirement that every team must give up two practice sessions per car to a rookie, though sadly, it did not provide him with an optimal opportunity this time around.

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Red Bull Max Verstappen Nico Hulkenberg Hungarian Grand Prix Paul Aron