2025 F1 ACADEMY champion Doriane Pin will increase her duties with the Mercedes F1 team as she becomes one of their Development Drivers for the 2026 season.
A New Chapter for Pin
Graduating from the team’s Junior Programme, Pin will contribute across simulator development and other activities, both at the factory and trackside.
The French driver joined the Mercedes Junior Team in 2024, with the team being one of the driving forces to her success in single seaters.
Alongside this, Pin developed her skills during her time in endurance racing, where she competed with the Iron Dames in categories such as the FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series.
“I’m very proud and grateful to take on the role of Development Driver with the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team. My two years as part of the Junior Programme have helped me grow as a driver, and this is a fantastic next step in my career,” said Doriane Pin.
“I’m excited to keep working with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth and progressing toward future opportunities, both on and off track.”
“We are delighted to announce that Doriane will step up to the role of Development Driver in 2026,” said Mercedes representative Bradley Lord.
“In her two years within our F1 ACADEMY team, she combined dedication, speed, and race-craft with strong technical feedback and engineering knowledge- culminating in her championship success last season. These skills are vital to progress up the motorsport ladder and this new role will help Doriane continues to grow and develop as a driver on her motorsport journey.”
Pin’s 2026 racing programme is set to be announced soon.
A Breakthrough Season for Pin
Pin claimed the 2025 F1 ACADEMY Drivers’ Championship with PREMA Racing, beating Ferrari-backed Maya Weug to the title.
She celebrated four wins and a further four podiums across seven rounds, clinching the crown after a dominant performance at the finale in Las Vegas.
“I also want to say a big thank you to everyone at F1 ACADEMY in helping me reach this position. The series provides a brilliant platform for female drivers, and I am honoured to be collecting the championship trophy this evening,” said Pin at the Autosport Awards in London.
“As I continue my own journey in motorsport, I know there will be more incredible women following in my wheel tracks and I wish them all the very best of luck for the season ahead.”
The Future is Female
The rise from F1 ACADEMY champion to a Mercedes Development Driver shows that the all-female racing series is beginning to accomplish exactly what it set out to do: create a credible, competitive pipeline into motorsport’s pinnacle.
As Pin will attend multiple Grands Prix as part of her role, her presence in the paddock increases visibility for women in motorsport, inspiring more young drivers who aspire to follow in her footsteps.
Furthermore, Development Driver roles often serve as gateways to testing opportunities, and even eventual race seats for some.
Pin has already expressed interest in completing her first F1 test, with Mercedes having a history of nurturing talent through structured progression.
Mercedes promoting Pin from its Junior Programme to a more influential role shows a long-term commitment to developing female talent, with other teams hopefully following suit.
Featured Image Credit: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team