Doriane Pin sets ambitious five-year target for Formula 1 race seat
Mercedes Formula 1 development driver Doriane Pin has laid out a clear and ambitious roadmap for her professional future: securing a permanent race seat on the F1 grid within the next five years.
In a recent Mercedes In Convo With Kids interview, the French talent articulated her long-term vision and expressed a firm belief in the capability of female drivers to compete at the highest level of the championship. When asked about her professional horizon, Pin was unapologetic in her clarity.
âIn Formula 1,â Pin stated directly. âThat would be cool. It will open some doors to all the girls that want to be a Formula 1 driver.â
A Rapid Ascent Through the Ranks
Pin's journey to the Mercedes ecosystem has been characterized by rapid success. Following her 2025 F1 Academy championship victory, she signed with the Brackley-based outfit as a development driver. This role has already yielded historic milestones; in April 2026, she became the first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 car at Silverstone, getting behind the wheel of the W12 from the 2021 season. Doriane Pin makes history with maiden Mercedes F1 test.
The 22-year-old's schedule is a testament to her versatility and commitment to elite motorsport. Beyond her duties with Mercedes, she serves as a development driver for Peugeot in the World Endurance Championship and Citroën in Formula E. Additionally, she competes in the Le Mans Prototype 2 Pro-Am class of the European Le Mans Series with the Duqueine Team.
Driving for Diversity and Inclusion
Beyond the pursuit of trophies, Pin is a vocal advocate for systemic change within the industry. She remains passionate about fostering greater diversity and inclusivity across all levels of motorsport.
âDiversity, in general,â Pin remarked when discussing the changes she wishes to see in the world. âSo in sports and outside of sports, I think we need more diversity. So more opportunities for everyone. Especially with my experience in a male-dominated sport like motorsport. So it would be good if we had a lot of women also in Formula 1.â
If Pin achieves her goal, she will join a select group of women who have operated modern-era F1 machinery. This includes F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff, who participated in official free practice sessions for Williams in 2014, and Jessica Hawkins, who completed a 26-lap test in the Aston Martin AMR21 in late 2023.
Ciara Gillan
Ciara is a Dublin native, award-winning film producer, podcaster and writer with 20 years of storytelling experience. A lifelong Leinster and Ireland rugby fan, she turned her attention to the grid after moving to Berlin and co-founding Formula Live Pulse. Now, she applies her producerâs brain to Formula 1, navigating the highs of Oscar Piastriâs rise and the unique stress of being an adopted Ferrari fan. She loves talking and talking about F1, if you give her the chance!