F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin is hoping for a Formula 1 test with Mercedes – according to her own statement, there is already “an idea” for a private test drive
In 2020, Doriane Pin won the F1 Academy title with the support of Mercedes. In the podcast Beyond The Grid, the 22-year-old has now revealed that she could possibly complete a private Formula 1 test for the Silver Arrows in the future.
Team boss Toto Wolff had already told her that the plan was to put her in a Formula 1 car, she reports. “Of course, we first had to wait and see how it went in the simulator, and then that was the possible next step,” explains Pin.
“But it went well in the simulator, actually very well, and that’s why the idea came up to give me a private test and give me the chance to drive the real car,” says the F1 Academy champion.
It was only in January that Mercedes promoted Pin to development driver. “As a development driver, she will be part of the driver line-up involved in the development program in the simulator and other activities in the factory and at the racetrack,” the team said at the time.
Now, however, Pin says she is also pushing for a test in the real car, “because I really want to get the chance to drive the car and show that there is potential. After all, my goal is to get into Formula 1.“
”That’s why I’m going to make sure I’m completely ready before I get behind the wheel in reality,” explains the Frenchwoman. There has not yet been a seat fitting, which is why it will probably be a while before there could actually be a Formula 1 test.
Pin finished runner-up in her first F1 Academy season in 2024 behind Abbi Pulling, who is supported by Alpine. In 2025, she won the title in the women’s series, and in 2026 she will compete in the LMP2 class in the ELMS. She is also a development driver for Mercedes in Formula 1 and for Peugeot in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
