Mercedes has confirmed F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin as its new development driver—she first joined the Silver Arrows’ junior program in 2024.
Doriane Pin has a new role to look forward to at Mercedes. After the 22-year-old Frenchwoman won the F1 Academy title last year, the Silver Arrows have officially promoted her to development driver ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The team explains in a press release: “As a development driver, she will be part of the driver lineup involved in the simulator development program and other activities at the factory and at the racetrack.”
In addition, Pin will be on site at several Grands Prix in the 2026 season in her new role and will also act “as a support and contact person for the team’s F1 Academy driver” outside of Formula 1, Mercedes announced.
Pin is also set to compete in another series in 2026. Mercedes plans to announce the details of her program in the near future. Pin herself said: “I am very proud and grateful to take on the role of development driver at Mercedes.”
“The last two years in the junior program have helped me develop as a driver, and this role is a fantastic next step in my career. I look forward to continuing to work with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth and preparing for future opportunities, both on and off the track.”
Pin joined the Mercedes junior program in 2024 and completed her first season in the F1 Academy that same year, finishing second behind champion Abbi Pulling with three wins. A year later, she won the title in the women’s series.
Apart from the F1 Academy, Pin has already competed in the LMP2 class of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Parallel to her F1 Academy program, she has also competed in various regional formula championships over the past two years.
It is not yet known who will compete for Mercedes in the F1 Academy in 2026.