Mercedes has elevated rising star Doriane Pin to a development driver role within their Formula 1 team following her commanding triumph in the F1 Academy championship last season. The 22-year-old French driver, who clinched the title with four impressive race victories, will now take on significant responsibilities as she progresses in her motorsport career.
A Stepping Stone to Formula One
Pin, who was already part of Mercedes' junior programme during her championship-winning campaign, will be present at multiple Grand Prix events throughout the 2026 season. Her new position involves extensive simulator work at the team's factory alongside various trackside activities designed to enhance her technical understanding and racing capabilities.
Ambitious Goals for the Season Ahead
The talented driver revealed her aspirations during an interview with Sky Sports News, stating she hopes to secure her first full Formula One test later this year. "It's a new role, a more important role within the F1 team," Pin explained ahead of collecting her F1 Academy trophy at the Autosport Awards in London. "I will work on a few opportunities and a few things with the F1 team. Working on the simulator, as well, to prepare hopefully for a Formula One test in 2026."
In addition to her Formula One development duties, Pin will compete in a racing series that has yet to be officially confirmed. This follows the path of previous F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling, who raced in the GB3 Championship after her title success and will continue in that series this season.
Proven Track Record Across Motorsport Disciplines
Pin's motorsport journey began in karting back in 2013, and she quickly demonstrated her versatility across different racing categories. As a teenager, she claimed the Ferrari Challenge Europe title in cars before progressing to the World Endurance Championship (WEC) LMP2 category in 2023, where she achieved a podium finish at Sebring.
The French racer shifted her focus to single-seaters at the beginning of the 2024 season, a decision that ultimately led to her F1 Academy championship victory and subsequent promotion within the Mercedes organisation.
Mercedes Praises Driver's Technical Abilities
Bradley Lord, a Mercedes team representative, highlighted Pin's comprehensive skill set that contributed to her advancement. "In her two years within our F1 Academy team, she combined dedication, speed, and race-craft with strong technical feedback and engineering knowledge - culminating in her championship success last season," Lord stated.
"These skills are vital to progress up the motorsport ladder and this new role will help Doriane continue to grow and develop as a driver on her motorsport journey. Her success in F1 Academy, and the opportunity the series presents, has prepared her well for this next step and we're excited to see her tackle it alongside a soon-to-be-announced racing programme."
Future Developments in F1 Academy
Meanwhile, Mercedes has yet to announce which driver will represent them in the 2026 F1 Academy season, which is scheduled to commence in China on 14 March. The team's decision regarding their F1 Academy representative will be closely watched as they continue to develop emerging talent through their junior programmes.
Pin's promotion represents a significant milestone in her career and demonstrates the effectiveness of the F1 Academy pathway in preparing female drivers for advancement within Formula One teams. Her development throughout the 2026 season will be closely monitored by motorsport enthusiasts as she works toward her ultimate goal of competing at the highest level of single-seater racing.
