– Doriane Pin, the F1 Academy champion of 2025, no longer sees a permanent cockpit in Formula 1 as an unattainable dream, but as a concrete goal. After her Formula 1 test with Mercedes, she expressed hope that this has opened the door wide to further opportunities in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Read more Why Cadillac is in a «huge hurry to find performance» in Formula 1 2026
The Frenchwoman joined the Mercedes junior team in 2024 when she started in the racing series designed exclusively for women. After winning the F1 Academy title in 2025, she was promoted to development driver at the team in Brackley.
In April 2026, the time finally came: Pin was allowed to take the wheel of the Mercedes W12 from the 2021 season.
“A chapter that is just beginning”
When asked about her next goal during the Mercedes New Silver Arrows Show, Pin answered briefly and succinctly: “To drive a Formula 1 car again.”
“I hope I will 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 in three weeks is Le Castellet in the ELMS [European Le Mans Series].”
Read more Red Bull: Not yet on the same level as McLaren and Co.
Looking ahead to the pinnacle class, she added: “As far as Formula 1 is concerned, I hope this chapter is just the beginning and that I get more chances to pilot a Formula 1 car to continue my development step by step – and hopefully eventually to take part in a first free practice session.”
From dream to mission
About her ambitions to one day be firmly in the starting lineup, the 22-year-old said: “From the age of nine until a few years ago, Formula 1 was a dream. Now it is a goal. That is a small but fine difference.”
“Having now proven to myself that I can be fast in a Formula 1 car, I don’t really know what I would say to nine-year-old Doriane. But I think it is important to follow what you have in your heart and your feeling.”
- 24h NürburgringVerstappen’s teammate admits: Not so easy on the Nordschleife
- MotoGPPedro Acosta humiliated: “No one overtakes me and looks at me”
- MotoGPBagnaia explains: Crash as a consequence of a technical problem
- 24h Nürburgring24h Nürburgring 2026: The weather forecast for the race
Pin’s outing 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.
Read more Official: Opel launches new electric SUV with Leapmotor technology
