Doriane Pin reached another important milestone in her rising career after completing her maiden Formula 1 test with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

The 22-year-old drove the championship-winning W12 at Silverstone on 17 April, completing 76 laps of the circuit’s shorter configuration. The car was previously raced by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas during the team’s successful 2021 season. Across the full programme, Pin completed 200 kilometres and delivered a strong impression with her speed, consistency and technical feedback.

Her outing also carried historic significance. Pin became the first F1 Academy champion to test a Formula 1 car, the first Frenchwoman to drive modern F1 machinery, and the first woman ever to get behind the wheel of a Mercedes Formula 1 car.

Reflecting on the experience, Pin said:

“Driving an F1 car for the first time today was unreal. 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. 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.”