Doriane Pin gears up for Mercedes F1 test after impressive simulator work
F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin is set for a private Formula 1 test with Mercedes, earned through her work as a development driver and strong simulator performances. The move, approved by Toto Wolff, marks a key step in her goal to reach the F1 grid.
Mercedes has green-lit a Formula 1 test for development driver Doriane Pin, following her title-winning F1 Academy season and strong performances in the team's simulator. The 22-year-old French racer confirmed the plan, marking a significant step in her mission to reach the F1 grid and becoming one of the few women in recent years to get behind the wheel of a contemporary Grand Prix car.
Why it matters:
This test represents a tangible progression for a promising female driver within a top team's program, moving beyond symbolic roles. For Mercedes, it's a data-driven investment in evaluating future talent, while for Pin, it's a critical opportunity to translate virtual prowess into real-world performance and stake her claim for a future in the pinnacle of motorsport.
The details:
- Team Principal Toto Wolff personally approved the private test after being impressed by Pin's work in the simulator. Pin confirmed the promise during an appearance on F1's Beyond The Grid podcast.
- Pin emphasized that the opportunity was earned, stating the test was the "potential next step" after her simulator sessions went "very well."
- Her current role involves balancing her Mercedes development duties with a return to endurance racing in the LMP2 class for Peugeot TotalEnergies.
- The test would place her among a small group of women who have driven modern F1 cars, following Susie Wolff's last F1 weekend participation in 2014 and Jessica Hawkins' private test for Aston Martin in 2023.
What's next:
While the test is confirmed in principle, final logistics, including the fitting of her seat in the Silver Arrow, are still being arranged. With the 2026 season development cycle ramping up, Pin's integration into the team's on-track program is expected to accelerate. A successful test could solidify her status as a serious contender for a future F1 role, potentially as a reserve or test driver, as she continues to gain experience in both single-seater and endurance disciplines.