Doriane Pin has become the first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car after completing her maiden Formula 1 test at Silverstone.
The 2025 F1 ACADEMY Champion and Mercedes Development Driver took to the track in the W12, previously driven by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas during their 2021 Constructors’ Championship-winning season.
Pin’s Silverstone Test Details
Pin completed 76 laps of the Silverstone National Circuit on April 17.
She covered a total of 200km during the day.
- First Frenchwoman to drive modern Formula 1 machinery.
- First woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car.
The team were impressed with her pace, feedback and technical understanding after extensive preparation in the simulator and close integration with the engineers.
Pin’s Reaction to Driving an F1 Car
Pin described driving an F1 car for the first time as “unreal”.
She added, “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.”
Pin noted the W12 is “really different from the other cars I’ve been able to drive. Everything is different, bigger and more powerful.”
She was glad she was able to build confidence lap after lap and show what she was capable of.
Mercedes’ Perspective
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director, said it was great to have Doriane complete a day of testing with the W12.
He added that 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.
Gwen Lagrue, Driver Development Advisor, commented that it is always really special for a young driver to drive an F1 car for the very first time.
He added that it is even more unique as Doriane is the first ever woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car.
Lagrue stated, “We are very proud to show to the next generation of female drivers that driving an F1 car is achievable.”
Lagrue hopes to see a woman driving in F1 in the coming years, and that the team would be incredibly proud if they were to achieve that goal with someone in their team. He believes Doriane can certainly act as an inspiration for those following in her wheel tracks as she continues her career and role as Development Driver with their team.