F1: Doriane Pin, first woman to drive a Mercedes: advice from Russell-Antonelli duo

“It’s a very special day. I drove an F1 car for the first time at Silverstone. It is something I have been dreaming of for a long time and I enjoyed every single moment. I am sure it will help me continue to grow as a driver.”. These are the words of Doriane Pin in a Mercedes video that testifies to her “great adventure.”

The French driver became the first woman to drive a Formula 1 Mercedes. At just 22 years old, the current F1 Academy champion turned in a test organized by the team at Silverstone with one of the World Championship-winning single-seaters, specifically the W12.

Doriane Pin thus became the sixth woman to ride in a Formula 1 single-seater. Before her it had happened to Katherine Legge, María de Villota, Simona de Silvestro, Susie Wolff and Jessica Hawkins.

A final curiosity: the Mercedes “starting” drivers, namely George Russell and Kimi Antonelli (current F1 World Drivers’ Championship leader), supported her during the test, offering her valuable advice on how to relate to the W12.