F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin takes major step towards F1 dream with first Mercedes test

2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin has taken part in a Formula 1 test with Mercedes. 

The French driver recently revealed in an interview on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast that the plan was to take part in an F1 test with the Brackley outfit. Now, Mercedes has shared photos of the milestone moment with the caption, "A milestone moment for Doriane Pin. Getting behind the wheel of an F1 car for the first time."

Pin got behind the wheel of the Mercedes W12, which was driven by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in the 2021 season. "Today is a very special day," she shared in a video on social media. 

"I will drive for the first time a Formula 1 car in Silverstone. Very looking forward to it. It's going to be a big day and something that I have dreamed for so long. So I will enjoy every second and take this chance to build myself and continue to grow and enjoy driving a Formula 1 car.

"And I will keep you posted of how it is and how special is this day."

The 22-year-old driver currently serves as a development driver for the Mercedes F1 team after the Toto Wolff-led team backed her F1 Academy campaign. 

The last woman to take part in a private test in an F1 car was Jessica Hawkins with Aston Martin in 2023, and the last woman to participate in an F1 race weekend was F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff, who took part in a free practice session with Williams in 2014.

Not only is this a huge milestone for Pin, but it is also a massive moment for the F1 Academy. The goal for the all-female racing series is to give young women opportunities on track and prove that motorsport is no longer a man's world.