Doriane Pin returns to Le Mans: from F1 Academy champion to endurance racing

Doriane Pin's remarkable 2025 season has positioned the French driver at a critical juncture in her racing career. As the newly crowned F1 Academy Champion, Pin is leveraging her momentum to diversify her competitive portfolio by returning to the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans. This strategic move exemplifies the modern approach many rising drivers take to accelerate their pathways toward Formula 1, combining single-seater progression with high-profile endurance commitments.

Building on Le Mans experience

This is not Pin's first venture to the Circuit de la Sarthe. The French racer made her Le Mans debut in 2023 while driving for PREMA Racing, also in the LMP2 category. Her previous experience navigating the demanding 24-hour format across the 13.6-kilometer circuit provides valuable context as she prepares for her return. The three-year gap since her debut underscores the intensity of her F1 Academy campaign, which consumed her focus throughout 2025.

A Comprehensive racing calendar

Beyond Le Mans, Pin will contest the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) with Duqueine Team during the 2026 season. This dual commitment—combining a marquee endurance event with a full championship campaign—demands exceptional physical conditioning and mental fortitude. The ELMS provides consistent race experience and data collection that will inform her performances at Le Mans.

Looking ahead to the 94th Edition

The 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place in mid-June 2026 at the Circuit de la Sarthe. The LMP2 field comprises 19 Oreca 07-Gibson cars, creating a highly competitive environment. For Pin, this represents an opportunity to showcase her adaptability as a racing driver—transitioning seamlessly between the precision demands of single-seater racing and the endurance, strategy, and teamwork required in prototype racing. Her trajectory exemplifies how contemporary drivers build comprehensive racing credentials to strengthen their credentials for the sport's ultimate destination: Formula 1.