The 2025 F1 Academy champion hopes her test with the German team will open new doors for her. Her next goal is to take part in an FP1. "Since I was nine years old it was a dream, now it's a goal," declared the 22 year old Frenchwoman.
Doriane Pin no longer speaks of dreams; the 2025 F1 Academy champion and current Mercedes development driver has changed her tune. After testing the 2021 W12 at Silverstone, the 22-year-old Frenchwoman is clear that her goal now is to reach Formula 1: "From when I was nine years old until a few years ago, it was a dream and now it's a goal, it's a bit different," she declared during the Mercedes Nu Silver Arrows Show.
The test last April was historic as Pin became the first F1 Academy champion to drive an F1 car and also the first woman to do so with Mercedes. She completed 76 laps of the Silverstone National circuit, equivalent to 200 kilometers, and according to team sources, her performance impressed in terms of pace, feedback, and technical understanding.
"To drive again in Formula 1," Pin replied when asked what her next goal is.
"I hope to have the opportunity, I think we did a pretty good job. I hope this opens some doors and some opportunities for the future," added the Frenchwoman, who does not hide her ambition.
The next step in her career is clear: "With F1, I hope this chapter is just the beginning, I want to have more opportunities to drive a Formula 1 car and continue my progression step by step. Hopefully to be in an FP1 at some point," she confessed, and if she achieves it, Pin would become one of the few women to take part in an official Formula 1 free practice session.
For now, her immediate schedule includes the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). "Next is Le Castellet in three weeks," she confirmed. The Frenchwoman competes with the Nielsen ELMS team in the LMP2 category, an experience she considers fundamental for her development as a driver.
Pin joined the Mercedes Junior Team in 2024, when she entered the all female racing series, her progression was meteoric, in 2025 she was crowned F1 Academy champion and, thanks to that title, she was promoted to development driver for the Brackley team. Now, her goal is to continue climbing the ladder.
"I have proven to myself that I can be fast in a Formula 1 car. I don't know what I would say to my nine year old Doriane, but I think it's important to follow what's inside your heart and your instinct," she stated proudly.
Mercedes, for its part, has shown its support for the driver, the German team has young talents like Pin in its academy and seeks to pave the way for them. If the Frenchwoman continues to prove her speed, it would not be surprising to see her in an FP1 in the near future, the nine year dream is getting closer.