Doriane Pin has become the first woman to drive a Mercedes Formula 1 car. She tested the Mercedes W12 from the 2021 season at Silverstone Circuit.
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| Photo by Mercedes AMG |
She drove the 2021 Mercedes W12 — a championship-winning car that was raced by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at the time.
"Driving an F1 car for the first time today was unreal."
"I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and to be surrounded by this incredible team. It was a unique opportunity and I made sure to enjoy my day to the fullest, along with doing the best job I could.
"Whilst being a female driver doesn’t define me, it was great to show what we can do. It was an extremely emotional day and I’m also thankful I was able to share this experience with my family.
"The W12 is obviously really different from the other cars I’ve been able to drive. Everything is different, bigger and more powerful. I am glad I was able to build confidence lap after lap and show what I was capable of."
Doriane Pin is the first woman to get behind the wheel of a modern Formula 1 car since Jessica Hawkins in 2023, when she took part in a private test with Aston Martin Formula One Team.