As the F1 Academy grid prepares for one of its most physically and technically demanding rounds of the 2025 season, Doriane Pin stands out as a title contender with both experience and determination on her side. After twice stepping onto the podium in Singapore last year, Pin, the 2025 F1 Academy championship leader is preparing to go one better—this time with the added challenge of potential heavy rain looming over the weekend.
Returning to Singapore and learning from the past
Reflecting on her previous performances in Singapore, Pin expressed cautious optimism while acknowledging the importance of maximising every opportunity at this stage of the championship.
“So yeah, Singapore has been quite positive last year, even if we didn’t win races. I mean, obviously it’s very important to do well in Singapore and in Las Vegas as well because we are leading the championship and we know it’s important to score points and to win races and so we have been fully prepared for it.”
Her preparation has been extensive and detailed. Not only has she relied on past experience, but she has also dedicated significant time to sim work and on-site reconnaissance.
“We have been spending hours and hours in the sim to get ready. We have been doing the track walk just right now. So, we have a full picture of what we’re going to approach this weekend and what we bring from last year also, what kind of improvement we have been bringing. And then let’s see.”
While preparation plays a crucial role, Pin remains aware of the unpredictable variables that could define the weekend—particularly the weather.
“It’s going to be very important, but there is also the weather condition that will be a bit challenging this weekend. And it’s maybe going to rain every day or at one point during the day. So it’s going to be the adaptation that will be the key of the weekend. But I like rain, so we’re going to see, but looking forward to it and yeah, to finish the weekend on a good positive position.”
Navigating the rain will be uncharted territory
When asked about how she plans to approach the forecasted rain across all sessions, Pin explained the unique difficulty of preparing for such conditions in Singapore—particularly given the lack of prior data or footage for similar scenarios.
“Obviously, we’ve never been driving in the rain in Singapore. So we had to, we [had to] find some onboards, obviously, on social and stuff for to onboards during the rain. But we don’t have on boards for Formula 4 in Singapore because obviously, except of F1 Academy, nobody is racing in F4. So it’s going to be driver adapting to the situation, to the track.”
Moreover, Singapore’s street circuit brings with it specific challenges, especially in the wet. Pin is under no illusions about the level of difficulty ahead, though she views the unpredictable conditions as an opportunity for excitement and growth.
“It’s a street track. So obviously, the water is standing quite a bit on the surface, and the grip will be quite low. Also, there is the white lines and, yeah, it’s a street track. So it’s going to be obviously very challenging, but I guess at the same time, very exciting because nobody knows the situation, the condition that we will have. And we’re going to have only a few laps to adapt and to make the most of it.”
“So, it’s also in a way very, very exciting and for racing, for us, to deliver and to show our potential also in the rain because at the end, I think we never raced in the rain this year. So it’s going to be fun.”
Leveraging endurance experience
In response to a question from Pit Debrief, Pin addressed whether her endurance racing background could offer an edge in handling the physically demanding and potentially wet conditions of Singapore.
“Yeah. Actually, yeah, endurance racing has been, I had more experience, obviously, in the rain conditions, but the cars are very heavy. It’s very different. It’s higher also, so you have less aquaplaning, for example, in GT or in endurance racing. So, yeah, it’s, to be honest, it’s a bit different. But I haven’t been driving in the rain on the street track, I think, for most of the drivers. So, it’s quite different.”
She added that while the comparison may not be like-for-like, her experience has nonetheless given her valuable tools for dealing with variable conditions.
“But obviously, as a driver, you always have to adapt to the conditions because rain is always different. It can be light rain, it can be drying up, or it can be full rain and very low visibility. And, you know, you need to find the good lines, you need to find where the grip is. And when you have only a few laps, because the lap in Singapore is around two minutes or three in slick, in dry conditions, so, I think in the rain it’s going to be even longer. So it’s been not many laps at the end. So obviously, we have to maximise everything together and put everything together.”
Despite the uncertainties, Pin remains upbeat and determined to convert her preparation and mindset into results.
“But I like the rain. I had good, obviously, very good memories in endurance racing. So I will take that as a reference, and then from there, I see.”
Eyes on the 2025 F1 Academy Championship
While the weather and street circuit complexities of Singapore present undeniable challenges, Doriane Pin is approaching the weekend with a mix of experience, adaptability, and positivity. Her leadership in the championship adds pressure, but she seems more than ready to face whatever the Marina Bay Circuit throws at her—rain or shine.
