Mercedes has named 2025 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin as its development driver, as Visa Cash App RB and Alpine undertake filming runs.
Having secured the 2025 F1 Academy title, Pin has named as the development driver of Mercedes team for 2026 season, after graduating from the team’s junior programme. She will be entrusted with additional work outside simulator, whether at factor or trackside.
Pin will attend several races in 2026 where she will also support Mercedes’ F1 Academy driver of 2026. Her racing programme will be shared at a later stage. “I’m very proud and grateful to take on the role of Development Driver with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team,” she said.
“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,” summed up Pin.
Team representative Bradley Lord said: “We are delighted to announce that Doriane will step up to the role of Development Driver in 2026. 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.”
Outside Mercedes, in more 2026 news, Visa Cash App RB and Alpine undertook filming run at Imola and Silverstone, respectively. The former had two days at Imola with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad in the 2026 machinery, which included an off for the latter in wet conditions.
He managed to get back on track to complete the run. Alpine, meanwhile, spent a day at a wet Silverstone on January 21 to run its A526 using the Mercedes engine for the first time. Both Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto were present, with the former likely in the driving seat.
VCARB: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTxg6w9DN78/?hl=en&img_index=1
Alpine: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTxgymCDCe4/
Other news –
F1 announces Drive to Survive launch date of Season 8: https://x.com/F1/status/2013993739040194818?s=20
F1 Exhibition set for Mexico debut on March 20: https://corp.formula1.com/formula-1-exhibition-to-make-mexico-city-debut/
Here’s news from Mercedes on car designer
