F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin named Mercedes development driver for 2026

French driver Doriane Pin, 22, moves from Mercedes’ Junior Programme to a 2026 development driver role after winning the 2025 F1 Academy title with four wins and four podiums. She will work on simulators, support the team’s female driver, and race in a private programme.

Why it matters:

• Mercedes adds a driver who blends racecraft with technical feedback, strengthening its development pipeline.
• The move shows the F1 Academy’s value as a talent source for top teams.
• It reinforces the push for more women in motorsport.

The details:

• Development duties include simulator testing, data analysis and track‑side support at selected Grands Prix.
• Pin will attend several 2026 races, acting as a sounding board for the team’s future F1 Academy driver.
• Mercedes praised Pin’s dedication, speed and engineering insight, citing them as key to her promotion.
• Her résumé includes karting, Ferrari Challenge Europe wins, a Spa 24 Hours class win and an LMP2 podium at Sebring.

What's next:

• Mercedes will reveal its 2026 F1 Academy driver later this season, with Pin likely as mentor.
• Pin’s private programme may involve endurance or single‑seater racing, keeping her ready for future F1 chances.
• The partnership highlights Mercedes’ long‑term plan to nurture diverse talent and could open a path for a female F1 driver in the team.