After an illustrious trajectory in GT and LMP2 racing, facilitated by the developmental opportunities provided by the Iron Dames project and the trust invested in her over the past three years, Pin, aged 20, has concurrently joined the esteemed ranks of Mercedes-AMG F1 Team as a member of its Junior Programme, marking a significant step towards her ultimate ambition: Formula 1.
A highly-accomplished competitor, Doriane already is a Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Champion, the Gold Cup class in the 2022 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and was presented with the prestigious Volant d’Or Award by the French Federation of Automobile Sport. In 2023 she graduated to prototype racing with PREMA Racing, brilliantly raising to the challenge at just 19, becoming the very first woman wining the coveted WEC “Revelation of the year” award. She ended 2023 with a victory and three further podiums as a rookie in Formula 4 SEA.
Following rigorous preparation for the new season, marked by successful stints in F4 SEA and F4 UAE, Doriane delivered a near-perfect performance during the first F1 Academy weekend. Competing against fourteen other talented drivers, she stood out from the pack, though it did not conclude as projected.
Doriane was electrifying in qualifying, storming to a commanding double pole position by comfortable margins. The pole for Friday’s race was achieved by a huge 0.785 second margin, while the second was achieved with a gap of 0.684s, significantly more than any pole position achieved in F1 Academy last season.
In the first race, Doriane pulled away well and began opening up a gap to Abbi Pulling behind. Doriane held a comfortable margin throughout the race until a Safety Car was called for a crash between Reema Juffali and Amna Al Qubaisi which nullified the gap.
Racing resumed on lap five of 12. Pulling kept close to Doriane on the restart, and in the subsequent laps the pair pulled away from Maya Weug in third. Pulling was able to keep within range, but Doriane came through for a historic victory at the end.
The second race began in a similar manner with Doriane taking the lead and controlling from the front ahead of Pulling. The gap was close in the opening stages, until the Safety Car came out on lap six of 13 for an incident involving Juffali. Doriane commanded the restart and was imperious in the closing stages.
She took the chequered flag by 1.994 seconds but went on to take the chequered flag twice and received a 20-second time penalty which dropped her to ninth. Regardless, the pace was incredibly strong throughout the entire weekend, and Doriane had laid down a marker in the opening weekend of the season.
Ahead of the next event at Miami on May 3-5, the French driver will participate in the 6 Hours of Imola on April 21, driving the Iron Dames Lamborghini Hurácan LMGT3.
DORIANE PIN
It was an incredible weekend and I loved every minute in the car. The team and the car were amazing. The goal is to win the championship with Mercedes-AMG and PREMA and to do that we have to be consistent. I want to keep improving so that I can drive at the highest level possible. The support of the Iron Dames means that I am here today. Deborah Mayer and the whole team put their trust in me early on and we have experienced and achieved great things together. I am proud and grateful to have been part of this project for 4 years now.