In a landmark moment for gender diversity in motorsport, Doriane Pin has grow the first French woman to drive a Mercedes Formula 1 car, completing a shakedown run at the Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2024. The 20-year-old French racer, who currently competes in the F1 Academy series with Prema Racing, took the wheel of a 2022-spec Mercedes W13 during a private filming session arranged by the team as part of its broader diversity and inclusion initiative.
The images and video released by Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. Demonstrate Pin navigating the iconic Northamptonshire circuit in the silver liveried machine, her helmet visor reflecting the track as she accelerated down the Wellington Straight and navigated Copse Corner. Though not an official FIA-sanctioned test, the run was conducted under strict supervision by Mercedes engineers and marked a significant symbolic step in the team’s commitment to increasing female representation in Formula 1.
“It’s an incredible feeling to drive a Mercedes F1 car, especially as the first French woman to do so,” Pin said in a statement released by the team. “I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was a kid watching Lewis Hamilton win championships. To sit in that cockpit, feel the power, and know I’m part of something bigger — it’s motivation to keep pushing forward.”
Pin’s appearance in the Mercedes W13 follows a growing trend of F1 teams offering track time to female drivers through development programs and promotional events. In recent years, drivers such as Jamie Chadwick, Tatiana Calderón, and Maya Weug have completed similar shakedowns with various constructors, though none had previously driven a current-spec Mercedes F1 car as a French national.
The achievement is particularly notable given France’s rich motorsport heritage. The country has produced multiple Formula 1 world champions, including Alain Prost and Sébastien Loeb, yet no French woman has ever started a Grand Prix in the sport’s 74-year history. The last French woman to compete in an FIA-sanctioned single-seater event was Michèle Mouton, who raced in Formula 2 during the late 1970s and later became a legend in rallying with Audi.
“Doriane represents the next generation of talent we aim for to support,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd., in a verified interview with Reuters published on April 11, 2024. “She’s prompt, professional, and deeply committed. Giving her this opportunity isn’t just about symbolism — it’s about showing what’s possible when we open the door wider.”
The Silverstone run came shortly after Pin finished eighth overall in the 2023 F1 Academy season, scoring her first podium at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and demonstrating consistent pace throughout the year. Her performance attracted attention from Mercedes’ junior program scouts, who have been monitoring her progression through karting and single-seater ranks since her debut in the French F4 Championship in 2020.
According to verified results from the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA), Pin won the French F4 Junior Championship in 2021 before moving to Eurocup-3 in 2022, where she secured two top-five finishes. Her transition to F1 Academy in 2023 marked her first full season in a series designed as a direct pathway to higher levels of single-seater competition, supported by Formula 1’s initiative to increase female participation.
While the Silverstone shakedown was not a competitive session, it provided valuable data for both Pin and Mercedes engineers. Telemetry from the run — though not publicly released — was used to assess her feedback on braking points, steering load, and cockpit ergonomics, standard practice in such developmental outings. The team confirmed that Pin completed approximately 15 laps during the session, gradually building speed as she became accustomed to the car’s downforce and power delivery.
Industry analysts note that while promotional drives like this one do not guarantee a race seat, they play a crucial role in visibility and development. “These opportunities are vital for building confidence and familiarity with F1 machinery,” said former F1 engineer Gemma Fisher in a BBC Sport interview. “For a young driver like Doriane, even a few laps in a current-gen car can accelerate her learning curve significantly.”
The timing of the announcement also aligns with Mercedes’ ongoing efforts to strengthen its diversity credentials. In 2023, the team launched the Accelerate 25 initiative, aiming to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups within its workforce to 25% by 2025. While focused primarily on engineering and operational roles, the program has expanded to include driver development outreach.
Pin herself has been vocal about the need for greater support structures for young women in motorsport. In a 2023 interview with ESPN, she cited financial barriers and limited access to testing as key obstacles. “Talent is everywhere,” she said. “But without the resources to secure seat time, many never get seen. Programs like this help change that.”
Looking ahead, Pin is set to continue her campaign in the 2024 F1 Academy season, which begins in May at Jeddah Street Circuit in Saudi Arabia as a support event to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Her goal, she has stated publicly, is to win races and challenge for the championship — a performance that could strengthen her case for future testing opportunities with Mercedes or other F1-aligned academies.
As of April 2024, no French woman has ever participated in an official Formula 1 practice session, qualifying, or race. The closest attempt came in 2015 when Tatiana Calderón drove for Sauber in free practice at the British Grand Prix, though she is Colombian-born. Susie Wolff, former Williams development driver and now Managing Director of the F1 Academy, completed practice runs in 2014 and 2015 but never started a Grand Prix.
Pin’s Silverstone run, while not altering the official record books, adds a meaningful chapter to the ongoing narrative of inclusion in Formula 1. It serves as a tangible reminder that progress, though incremental, is being made — one lap at a time.
The next confirmed checkpoint in Doriane Pin’s career is the opening round of the 2024 F1 Academy season at Jeddah on May 9–10, 2024, where she will aim to build on her 2023 performance and continue her pursuit of a future in Formula 1.
What do you think about Doriane Pin’s historic run? Share your thoughts in the comments below and help keep the conversation going about diversity in motorsport.
