Doriane Pin, the rising star of Formula 1, is making headlines as she gears up for a groundbreaking opportunity with Mercedes. The 2025 F1 Academy champion has disclosed that the iconic racing team plans to put her behind the wheel of an F1 car for a private test, a step that could catapult her career to new heights.
Pin, who has been under the wings of Mercedes throughout her successful campaign in the all-female racing series, officially joined the team as a development driver for 2026. Her impressive performances during simulator sessions have sparked excitement within the team, leading to the promising announcement. “Yeah, he said it,” Pin confirmed, referencing Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff during her recent appearance on the popular Beyond The Grid podcast.
The anticipation is palpable as Pin explained, “We had to see how the sim was going and then it was the potential next step, but the sim went well, very well actually. That's why they had the idea to put me in a private test and to give me the chance to drive the real car.” This is not just a routine test; it's a chance for Pin to showcase her talent on an international stage. “So definitely I'm really pushing for it as well because I really want my chance to drive the car and to show that there's potential because my target is to go to Formula 1,” she emphasized, showcasing her determination and ambition to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
While the excitement builds, Pin has yet to have a seat fit, which she humorously noted with a smile, “No, not yet.” This moment of levity underscores the competitive yet passionate spirit that surrounds her journey.
In addition to her role as a development driver, Pin has returned to endurance racing, a discipline where she previously made her mark in the LMP2 class as part of the groundbreaking Iron Dames project in 2022. Now, she has advanced to the LMP2 Pro-Am class for 2026, proving her versatility and resilience as a driver.
In a sport where female representation has been sparse, Pin's journey is particularly significant. The last woman to participate in an F1 race weekend was Susie Wolff, who drove for Williams in a free practice session back in 2014. More recently, Jessica Hawkins conducted a private test for Aston Martin in 2023, highlighting the rarity yet increasing visibility of women in Formula 1.
As fans and motorsport enthusiasts eagerly await the next chapter in Doriane Pin's career, one thing is clear: she is on a collision course with history. With her sights firmly set on Formula 1, this private test with Mercedes could be the defining moment that showcases her immense potential and paves the way for a new era of female drivers in the sport.