Mercedes improvement driver Doriane Pin accomplished one other main step on her potential journey to the Method 1 grid, finishing a check session for the staff on the historic Silverstone circuit.
Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy champion, accomplished 76 laps within the W12, the automotive that helped energy Mercedes to the 2021 Constructors’ Championship. It was her first time turning laps in F1 equipment, and she or he accomplished 200 kilometers throughout her session on Friday.
“Driving an F1 automotive for the primary time at the moment was unreal. I’m very grateful to have been given this chance and to be surrounded by this unbelievable staff. It was a singular alternative and I made positive to get pleasure from my day to the fullest, together with doing one of the best job I might. While being a feminine driver doesn’t outline me, it was nice to point out what we will do. It was an especially emotional day and I’m additionally grateful I used to be capable of share this expertise with my household,” mentioned Pin after the check session.
“The W12 is clearly actually totally different from the opposite automobiles I’ve been capable of drive. All the things is totally different, larger and extra highly effective. I’m glad I used to be capable of construct confidence lap after lap and present what I used to be able to.”
Andrew Shovlin, the staff’s trackside engineering director, hailed Pin’s “preparation and professionalism” after the session.
”It’s been nice to have Doriane full a day of testing with the W12 at the moment. It marks one other main step on what’s proving to be a really thrilling and promising profession and likewise makes her the primary ever feminine driver of a Mercedes F1 automotive,” mentioned Shovlin.
“Her preparation and professionalism has impressed the entire staff and she or he must be actually pleased with what she has achieved. No matter sequence you come from, it’s at all times an enormous step when moving into an F1 automotive however she checked out dwelling from the very first laps and was capable of get pleasure from driving the automotive on the restrict.”
Pin grew to become the primary Frenchwoman to drive trendy F1 equipment within the session.
Along with her position with Mercedes, Pin will drive with Duqueine Staff for his or her 2026 European Le Mans Sequence, competing within the LMP2 Professional/AM Class. This may give Pin an opportunity at driving within the Le Mans 24 Hours for the second time, as she made her debut at that historic occasion again in 2023.
