Doriane Pin reflects on "unreal" maiden F1 test: "An extremely emotional day"

2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin has completed her maiden Formula 1 test with Mercedes at Silverstone. 

The French driver drove the constructors' championship-winning W12 from the 2021 season and completed 76 laps of the Silverstone Circuit, totalling 200km. Current Mercedes F1 drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were seen supporting Pin in the garage for the milestone moment.

"Driving an F1 car for the first time today was unreal," Pin said after finishing the test. 

"I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and to be surrounded by this incredible team. It was a unique opportunity and I made sure to enjoy my day to the fullest, along with doing the best job I could.

"Whilst being a female driver doesn’t define me, it was great to show what we can do. It was an extremely emotional day and I’m also thankful I was able to share this experience with my family.

"The W12 is obviously really different from the other cars I’ve been able to drive. Everything is different, bigger and more powerful. I am glad I was able to build confidence lap after lap and show what I was capable of."

Pin became the latest woman to get behind the wheel of an F1 car after Jessica Hawkins took part in a private test with Aston Martin in 2023, but is the first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car.

Doriane Pin, Mercedes W12

Photo by: Mercedes AMG

"It is always really special for a young driver to drive an F1 car for the very first time," said Gwen Lagrue, Mercedes driver development adviser. "Today, it is even more unique as Doriane is the first ever woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car.

"We are very proud to show to the next generation of female drivers that driving an F1 car is achievable. I am sure we will see a woman driving in F1 in the coming years and as a team, we would be incredibly proud if we were to achieve that goal with someone in our team.

"Doriane can certainly act as an inspiration for those following in her wheel tracks as she continues her career and role as Development Driver with our team."

Mercedes trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, added that Pin impressed the whole team with her preparation and professionalism.

"It's been great to have Doriane complete a day of testing with the W12 today," he said.

"It marks another major step on what is proving to be a very exciting and promising career and also makes her the first ever female driver of a Mercedes F1 car.

"Her preparation and professionalism has impressed the whole team and she should be really proud of what she has achieved. Whatever series you come from, it is always a massive step when getting into an F1 car but she looked at home from the very first laps and was able to enjoy driving the car on the limit."

After winning the 2025 F1 Academy championship, Pin currently serves as a Mercedes development driver, in addition to responsibilities in other racing series.