Doriane Pin completes historic first F1 test with Mercedes

Mercedes development driver and 2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin completed her first Formula 1 test at Silverstone, becoming the first woman to drive a modern Mercedes F1 car. The 22-year-old covered 76 laps in the 2021-spec W12, delivering a performance that impressed the team with her composure and rapid adaptation to the powerful machinery, marking a significant personal and symbolic milestone.

Why it matters:

Pin's test is a tangible step forward for diversity in a sport with no full-time female drivers on the current grid. Her successful outing, validated by Mercedes' senior engineers, serves as a powerful benchmark, demonstrating that the performance gap can be bridged and providing a visible role model for the next generation of aspiring female racers.

The details:

• Pin described the experience as "extremely emotional" and "unreal," emphasizing her focus on enjoying the moment and performing to the best of her ability while sharing the day with her family.
• She noted the significant jump in performance, stating the W12 was "really different... bigger and more powerful" than anything she's driven, but was pleased to build confidence lap by lap.
• Team Praise: Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin highlighted her professionalism, preparation, and ability to look "at home from the very first laps."
• Broader Significance: Driver development advisor Gwen Lagrue explicitly framed the test as showing the next generation that "driving an F1 car is achievable" and expressed pride at the prospect of one day helping a woman race in F1 with the team.

What's next:

The test solidifies Pin's status within the Mercedes junior programme as she continues her role as a Development Driver. While her immediate racing future in other series is yet to be fully outlined, this milestone increases her visibility and track experience at the pinnacle of the sport. As Lagrue noted, the ultimate team goal is to translate such test milestones into a full-time F1 seat, with Pin now positioned as a leading candidate in that long-term pipeline.