Doriane Pin is no longer just dreaming of Formula 1; she wants to make it to the top tier—a first test with Mercedes has motivated the French driver
Doriane Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy champion, no longer views a permanent seat in Formula 1 as an unattainable dream, but as a concrete goal. Following her Formula 1 test with Mercedes, she expresses hope that it has opened the door wide to further opportunities in the pinnacle of motorsport.
The Frenchwoman joined the Mercedes junior team in 2024 when she competed in the all-female racing series. After winning the F1 Academy title in 2025, she was promoted to development driver at the Brackley-based team.
In April 2026, the moment finally arrived: Pin was allowed to take the wheel of the 2021 Mercedes W12.
“A chapter that is just beginning”
When asked about her next goal during the Mercedes New Silver Arrows Show, Pin replied succinctly: “To drive a Formula 1 car again.”
“I hope I’ll get the opportunity to do so. I think we did a pretty good job today. I hope this opens some doors and opportunities for the future. But next up is Le Castellet in the ELMS [European Le Mans Series] in three weeks.”
Looking ahead to the premier class, she added: “As far as Formula 1 is concerned, I hope this chapter is just the beginning and that I’ll get further chances to drive a Formula 1 car to continue my development step by step—and hopefully compete in a first free practice session at some point.”
From Dream to Mission
Speaking about her ambitions to one day secure a permanent spot on the starting grid, the 22-year-old said: “From the age of nine until a few years ago, Formula 1 was a dream. Now it’s a goal. That’s a small but significant difference.”
“Now that I’ve proven to myself that I can be fast in a Formula 1 car, I’m not quite sure what I’d say to the nine-year-old Doriane. But I think it’s important to follow what’s in your heart and what you feel.”
Pins’ drive with Mercedes was historic: She is the first F1 Academy champion to test a Formula 1 car, and also the first woman to sit behind the wheel of a Mercedes Formula 1 car.
