Mercedes development driver Doriane Pin, fresh off her 2025 F1 Academy title, has been granted a private Formula 1 car test after impressing in simulator sessions. The French racer shared the news on the Beyond The Grid podcast, highlighting her preparations and F1 ambitions.
Pin confirmed that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff approved the private test following her strong simulator performance. 'The sim went well, very well actually, and that's why they had the idea to put me in a private test and to give me the chance to drive the real car,' she said on the podcast.
The 22-year-old has not yet had a seat fitting and is focusing on thorough preparation to showcase her potential on track. Building on her new role as a Mercedes development driver, this opportunity advances her goal of reaching the F1 grid.
Pin, who has returned to endurance racing in the LMP2 Pro-Am class this year, would become the first woman to conduct a private F1 test since Jessica Hawkins with Aston Martin in 2023. The last female driver in an F1 race weekend was Susie Wolff for Williams in 2014.