PILOT PIN
Doriane Pin, now written into the history books of Formula one – becoming apart of the small percentage of women who have driven a F1 car and the only women to have piloted a Mercedes F1 car. On the 17th of April in Silverstone, Doriane stepped foot into the W12, which was driven by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in the 2021 F1 season, with the Mercades team where she completed a total of 200km in testing
‘’Driving an F1 car for the first time today was unreal’’ Doriane says… ‘’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.’’
Let’s learn a little more about this rising female star….
Born in Ivry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France in January 2004, Pin developed a love for motorsport at a young age, receiving her first race helmet and suit in 2012 she began competitive karting the following year. At age 15, Doriane became the French National Champion at Go-karting level which allowed her to move into car racing in the Renault Clio Cup. A millstone moment came in 2021 when ‘Iron Dames’ granted her, her first test in which she gained a full-time racing seat that season. 2022, Pin won her first racing title in the Ferrari Challenge Europe, along with a win in the 24 Hour Spa-Francorchamps and success in the European Le Mans season finale where she helped Iron Dames claim their first victory in said series.
Her success continued in the World Endurance Championships LMP2 category, with a podium finish in Sebring – her incredible performance was recognised and she became the first woman to win the ‘Revelation of the Year’ award.
With many achievements under her belt, in 2024 Doriane made the move to single-seater racing, and won a round of Formula 4 UAE. Joining F1 Academy with the support of Mercedes and PREMA, Pin made her mark in her first season, scoring 3 wins and 5 podiums where she placed 2nd in the championship. In her second season (2025), she won more than just the 4 races, Doriane won the F1 Academy driver championship! She has certainly made an amazing impression in the world of the Formula series.
Doriane is still apart of the Mercedes family and is their development driver for 2026. What she did down in Silverstone on Friday was monumental, for not only herself but for the younger generation of female racers. This gives so much hope to females in motorsport and those aspiring to be, that one day we will have a women racing full-time in Formula one; and Doriane is now helping lay the groundwork to do so, she is forever printed into the history of women in F1.
Congratulations Doriane, what a milestone for you! Can’t wait to see more!
With love, T x