DORIANE PIN Completes Historic Mercedes F1 Test, First Woman to Drive W12

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April 19, 2026

GRRL! SUMMARY:

  • DORIANE PIN logged 76 laps covering 200km in Mercedes’ W12 at Silverstone, becoming first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car and first Frenchwoman in modern F1 machinery after extensive simulator prep.
  • The 22-year-old won the 2025 F1 ACADEMY title after finishing runner-up to ABBI PULLING in 2024, proving her single-seater progression earned serious development programme credibility beyond ceremonial testing.
  • PIN balances Mercedes development duties with European Le Mans Series competition, scoring class podium at Barcelona opener while preparing for Le Mans 24 Hours return after 2024 injury withdrawal.
  • Mercedes engineers praised her professionalism and technical feedback absorption, positioning test as performance evaluation rather than publicity exercise. First woman since JESSICA HAWKINS’ 2023 Aston Martin run to test F1 car.

UPCOMING:

  • Le Mans 24 Hours – Doriane Pin returns after three-year absence
  • European Le Mans Series season continues with Pin competing full-time

LINKS TO RACER'S PROFILE PAGES:

DORIANE PIN ABBI PULLING JESSICA HAWKINS

all-female f1 academy, european le mans series, formula 1, mercedes

GRRL! summary based upon reporting by Bassyonni originally appearing on www.el-balad.com