racingnews365.com·
Mercedes announces new role for F1-backed champion driver
Mercedes' junior driver Doriane Pin is to step up to a development
driver role in 2026 after her F1 Academy title success. French
racer Pin claimed the all-female racing championship title in 2025,
defeating Ferrari's Maya Weug in Las Vegas. Pin, 22, will join the
roster of drivers, including Frederik Vesti, to form the roster who
complete simulator and development work for the eight-time
constructors' champions, both trackside and at the Brackley
factory. Pin will also attend several grands prix in her new role
as well as mentoring the team's to be announced F1 Academy driver
for the 2026 season. Her racing programme for the 2026 season will
be announced shortly. "’m very proud and grateful to take on the
role of Development Driver with Mercedes," she explained. "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. I’m excited
to keep working with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth, and
progressing toward future opportunities, both on and off track. "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. 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." Team representative Bradley Lord added that Pin had
showed skills "vital to progress up the motorsport ladder." "We are
delighted to announce that Doriane will step up to the role of
Development Driver in 2026," he said. "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 continue to grow and develop as a driver on her
motorsport journey. "Her success in F1 Academy, and the
opportunity the series presents, has prepared her well for this
next step and we're excited to see her tackle it alongside a
soon-to-be-announced racing programme."
