Doriane Pin has made it clear: her Formula 1 dream is no longer just a fantasy—it's a concrete goal. After a standout performance in her Mercedes F1 test, the French driver is eyeing the next big step in her racing career.

Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy champion, joined the Mercedes Junior Team in 2024 and quickly proved her mettle. Following her championship win, she was promoted to development driver at the Brackley-based squad. Now, in April 2026, she's already had the thrill of piloting the Mercedes W12—the same car that dominated the 2021 F1 season.

"Driving again in Formula 1," Pin said when asked about her next ambition during the Mercedes Nu Silver Arrows Show. "I hope I will have the opportunity. I think we did a pretty good job today. I hope it will open some doors and some opportunities for the future."

For now, Pin's immediate focus shifts to the European Le Mans Series at Le Castellet in three weeks. But her sights remain firmly set on F1. "I hope this chapter is only the beginning," she added. "I will have more chances to drive a Formula 1 car and to continue my progression step-by-step, and hopefully be in FP1 at one point."

The 22-year-old reflected on how far she's come, noting the shift in mindset from childhood dreams to professional ambitions. "From when I was nine until a few years ago, it was a dream—Formula 1. And now it's a goal. It's a bit different. And now I have proved to myself that I can be fast in a Formula 1 car."

Pin's test run with Mercedes marked a historic moment: she became the first F1 Academy champion to test an F1 car and the first woman to drive a Mercedes F1 machine. For young racers and fans alike, her journey from dreamer to driver is a powerful reminder to follow your heart—and your gut.