(Motorsport-Total.com) – 22-year-old Doriane Pin has made history in Formula 1: The young driver is not only the first woman to complete a test for Mercedes, but also the youngest driver and the first Frenchwoman to pilot a modern Formula 1 racing car.
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Pin was allowed to complete a Formula 1 test in Silverstone last Friday (April 17, 2026) and drive the Mercedes W12 E Performance from the 2021 season. The development driver completed a total of 76 laps on the 2.639-kilometer Silverstone National Circuit during the day.
“Driving a Formula 1 car for the first time today was simply incredible,” says the Frenchwoman, who was crowned F1 Academy champion last year. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and to be part of this great team.
“It was a unique opportunity, and I made sure to enjoy my day to the fullest while also giving my best. Even if my role as a racing driver doesn’t fully define me, it was great to show what we are capable of.”
A “very emotional day” for Doriane Pin
“It was a very emotional day, and I am also grateful that I could share this experience with my family.” Pin had already hinted at her Formula 1 test a few days ago on the podcast Beyond The Grid, which is why the test was not entirely unexpected.
The 22-year-old prepared intensively in the simulator and worked closely with the engineers to deepen her understanding of the procedures required when driving the W12. “The W12 is, of course, significantly different from the other cars I’ve had the pleasure of driving so far.”
“Everything is different, bigger, and more powerful,” reports the Frenchwoman, who apparently made no mistakes during the day. “I’m glad that I was able to build more confidence lap by lap and show what I can do.”
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Doriane Pin has “impressed the entire team”
“It was great that Doriane was able to complete a test day with the W12 today,” says Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin. “This is another important milestone in her extremely exciting and promising career.”
“She is also the first driver ever to have driven a Mercedes Formula 1 racing car,” the engineer recalls. “Her preparation and professionalism have impressed the entire team, and she can truly be proud of what she has achieved.”
“No matter which racing series you come from, it’s always a huge step to get into a Formula 1 racing car. But she looked at home from the very first laps and was able to enjoy pushing the car to its limits.”
Pin as “inspiration” for young female racing drivers
Gwen Lagrue, who is responsible for the junior program at Mercedes, is already thinking a step further. “I am sure that we will see a woman driving in Formula 1 in the coming years,” says the Frenchman. “As a team, we would be incredibly proud if we could achieve this goal with someone from our team.”
“Doriane can certainly serve as an inspiration for all those who want to follow in her footsteps, as she continues her career and her role as a development driver in our team.” The last woman to complete a Formula 1 test was Jessica Hawkins, who was allowed to test for Aston Martin in Hungary in 2023.
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