DORIANE PIN Makes History as Mercedes F1 Development Driver After F1 Academy Win

January 22, 2026

• DORIANE PIN has been promoted to Mercedes F1 development driver after winning the F1 Academy championship in just her second season. The French driver, nicknamed the “Pocket Rocket” for her aggressive yet controlled style, impressed Mercedes insiders with her race intelligence, technical understanding, and ability to translate feedback into performance gains—all essential qualities for F1 aspirations.
• This promotion places PIN directly within Mercedes’ long-term F1 planning, moving her beyond the junior programme into simulator work, technical debriefs, and closer collaboration with engineers at Brackley and Brixworth. Bradley Lord emphasized that her new role was “earned rather than gifted,” highlighting her commitment, speed, and solid technical feedback during her two years with the F1 Academy team.
• PIN’s appointment represents a historic step in a sport where women have been historically excluded from the top tier. While Mercedes hasn’t suggested an imminent F1 debut, the pathway is now clearer than ever before. A racing programme alongside her development duties is expected to be announced soon, ensuring she continues gaining competitive experience rather than being confined solely to simulator work, making the possibility of a woman succeeding Hamilton at Mercedes no longer dismissible as fantasy.

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