Doriane Pin: F1 ACADEMY champion, still pushing
About this episode
Doriane Pin, reigning F1 Academy champion and Mercedes development driver, talks about how she’s balancing F1 simulator work, F1 Academy support duties, and LMP2 racing. She explains what the Mercedes sim role involves (precise feedback, full-day sessions, and adapting quickly), why she’s pushing for a real F1 test, and the biggest difference she expects: downforce. Pin compares endurance, GT, and single-seaters, shares Le Mans lessons like traffic management, and credits advice from Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, and Susie Wolff. Her story is rooted in relentless competitiveness and turning preparation into “zone” performance.
From the first time she sat in a kart, aged 9, Doriane Pin has wanted to race in Formula 1. F1 ACADEMY champion, Mercedes Development Driver, poised to drive an F1 car for the first time - Doriane is getting closer and closer to that dream.
Doriane tells Tom Clarkson her racing story so far, from feeling like a 'superhero' in her kart, to seeking sponsors at the age of 11, taking on the Le Mans 24 hours, and being spotted by the Mercedes Junior Programme.
In F1 ACADEMY, Doriane switched to racing open wheel cars on Grand Prix circuits, supported by Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Susie Wolff's advice helped her score points in every race, and become champion at the end of her second season.
Now Doriane is Development Driver for Mercedes and is preparing for a first F1 test. Her dream remains the same: a seat on the Grand Prix grid.
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