Major female star prepearing for potential Mercedes F1 debut

Doriane Pin is busy preparing for a potential Formula 1 test with Mercedes, having become one of its official development drivers earlier this year.

Pin joined the German manufacturer’s junior programme in 2024 and was backed by the Silver Arrows in her two F1 Academy campaigns.

Last year, the Frenchwoman secured the F1 Academy title, while in 2026 the 22-year-old has made the switch to prototypes.

She is competing alongside Julen Andlauer and Richard Verschoor in the European Le Mans Series and will also enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Alongside her racing and development role at Mercedes, Pin is also a development driver for Peugeot’s World Endurance Championship outfit.

This has made Pin incredibly busy, with most of her F1 work for the Brackley-based team taking place in the simulator, although an on-track test is also on the cards.

Asked on the Beyond the Grid podcast how long she needed to adjust to the F1 simulator, Pin explained: "It only took a morning! It's quite realistic, I think, compared to the real car. 

"I haven't driven that yet, of course, but I think I will in a private test this year. Otherwise, the simulator is quite realistic. 

"You can give good feedback that matches the real car, because everything is the same. I also notice that when I talk to the team, and to George [Russell]. You can do really good work in the sim, so it's very relevant. It's all very precise."

Pin hungry for F1 test

For Pin, jumping into the F1 simulator after coming from F1 Academy machinery is a significant step up—something the Ivry-sur-Seine driver conceded herself.

It is not only the machinery itself that is a "big step"; simply spending several hours in the simulator is something Pin has not been used to since the pandemic.

"It's a big step, though," admitted Pin. "I haven't done very much in the simulator in the past. During Covid I did, because there were no races then. 

"But you just have time to get used to it, because a lot happens. Of course, it's a simulated F1 car, so there's a lot you have to learn. 

"But the engineers are also there to help you, and there are a lot of them who can do that. So it is complex, but also very interesting."

According to Pin, the plan is for her to take part in an actual test for Mercedes, with the long-term goal still being to reach F1.

However, looking ahead to the possible test, Pin recognises that it will only happen if she produces the correct work in the simulator.

Discussing if she is eager for an F1 test, Pin exclaimed: "Yes! Of course we still have to see how it goes in the sim, and then that's a possible next step. 

"But it's going well in the sim, so that's also where the idea of letting me do a private test comes from, to give me the chance to drive in the real car.

"I'm pushing for that, too, you know, because I really want to get that chance to show my potential. My goal is to get into Formula 1, so I really need to make sure I'm 100% ready to get in the car in real life."