Reigning F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin has tested Formula 1 machinery for the first time, the first woman to do so in three years, and the first F1 Academy champion to do so.
Pin, a member of Mercedes’ driver development program, got behind the wheel of the 2021-spec title-winning W12 on Friday, running 76 laps of Silverstone’s National Circuit.
“Driving an F1 car for the first time was unreal,” Pin, 22, said. “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.
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“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.
“The W12 is obviously really different from the other cars I’ve been able to drive. Everything is different, bigger, and more powerful. I am glad I was able to build confidence lap after lap and show what I was capable of.”
Pin, last year’s F1 Academy champion, is this year contesting the European Le Mans Series, alongside her role as a Mercedes development driver.
Mercedes F1
“It’s been great to have Doriane complete a day of testing with the W12,” said Mercedes’ Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin. “It marks another major step on what is proving to be a very exciting and promising career and also makes her the first ever female driver of a Mercedes F1 car.
“Her preparation and professionalism has impressed the whole team and she should be really proud of what she has achieved. Whatever series you come from, it is always a massive step when getting into an F1 car but she looked at home from the very first laps and was able to enjoy driving the car on the limit.”
U.K.-based Phillip Horton started covering Grands Prix while still at university and swiftly deemed that writing about Formula 1 and the behind-the-scenes machinations was much more engaging than reading centuries-old novels. Degree gained, he went on to cover the sport full-time from 2014 and is as intrigued and excited by the destinations Formula 1 visits during its lengthy annual world tour as the racing itself. Phillip joined Autoweek in 2021 and while he has just about learned to spell in American English he has yet to find anywhere in America that makes a proper cup of tea.