Following her promotion to Mercedes development driver and approval for a private test, 2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin has reflected on her debut Formula 1 outing with the team at Silverstone, calling it one of the best days of her life. The French driver became the first F1 Academy champion and first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car.
Pin shared her impressions on the Mercedes Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show. 'It was an amazing day, to be honest. One of the best days of my life,' she said. 'Driving a Formula 1 car is not very common. I'm very lucky to have this opportunity.'
She described close collaboration with the team, steady improvements during the session, and delight in the car's performance at Silverstone. Pin emphasized the F1 car's size and unique sensations, ranking it among the best feelings in her career, and cherished every moment.
Contrasting it with her F1 Academy car (Formula 4 equivalent), Ferrari 488 GTE from Ferrari Challenge Europe, and LMP2 prototypes—where she hit 320-325 kph at Le Mans—Pin declared: 'There is nothing compared to Formula 1.' Despite preparation, initial surprises arose, but she adapted quickly and felt at home.
