DORIANE PIN Becomes First Woman to Drive Mercedes F1 Car at Silverstone

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April 19, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • DORIANE PIN made history as first woman to test Mercedes F1 machinery, driving the championship-winning W12 at Silverstone with coaching from Kimi Antonelli and George Russell after simulator preparation.
  • The 22-year-old French driver dominated 2025 F1 Academy with eight podiums, four wins, and points in every race across two seasons, following a runner-up finish in her 2024 rookie campaign.
  • PIN joins Mercedes as Development Driver for 2026 while simultaneously serving Peugeot Hypercar program and racing LMP2 with Team Duqueine in European Le Mans Series, securing recent class podium.
  • SUSIE WOLFF remains last woman in official F1 session (Williams 2014-15), while LELLA LOMBARDI holds the last race start in 1976. JESSICA HAWKINS previously tested contemporary F1 car for Aston Martin in 2023.

UPCOMING:

  • European Le Mans Series – Team Duqueine LMP2 campaign with Doriane Pin

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by RACERS originally appearing on www.racers-behindthehelmet.com