Mercedes have confirmed the signing of French female racing prodigy Doriane Pin. The 20-year-old will be the team’s representative in F1 Academy next season and will have her sights set on a maiden junior series title.
Following a successful debut campaign, F1 Academy is returning in 2024 in an evolved state with all ten teams on the grid signing one female prospect to their respective driver programmes in order to compete in the series.
In Pin, Mercedes have secured the services of one of the most exciting female prospects on the junior series ladder. The French driver secured four podiums in six appearances in the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship – her first appearance in an open-wheel series.
Even more notable have been her performances in the endurance racing sphere. Pin became a 24 Hours of Spa winner in the GT3 Evo class in 2022 and impressed in the World Endurance Championship LMP2 class in 2023.
“I am incredibly happy to join the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team Junior Programme and to represent the team in F1 Academy this year with Prema Racing,” Pin said after the signing was announced on Tuesday.
“A new chapter begins, and I am proud to make this next step in such a prestigious team and with the Iron Dames project. I am grateful for their trust and honoured to race for their colours.
“Moving into single-seaters was a clear objective for my career, and to be in this environment is a great approach. I am working very hard to reach the top level of this sport and I cannot wait to go racing.”
Team principal Toto Wolff was also excited after adding Pin to his ranks, stating: “Doriane is an exciting talent and we’re pleased to begin our participation in F1 Academy with her as our chosen driver.
“We have kept a close eye on her development in recent years as she has consistently impressed. The fantastic support of Deborah Mayer and the Iron Dames organisation has enabled her to display her abilities to this point; she has taken full advantage of that opportunity with determination and skill.
“We now look forward to working in conjunction with Iron Dames, Prema Racing, and F1 Academy, to support Doriane as she takes the next step in her career.”
