With the 2025 F1 Academy season now concluded, Prema Racing’s Doriane Pin appeared on the Fast Forward with PitStopNic podcast to reflect on the support she has received from both Mercedes and Iron Dames throughout her career. The 21 year-old race with Prema Racing under the backing of Mercedes for a second year running, Pin clinched the 2025 F1 Academy title during the season finale in Las Vegas. She delivered a standout campaign, securing four wins and four additional podiums on her way to the title.
Support from her immediate team and Mercedes
With the 2025 F1 Academy season kicking off in Shanghai earlier this year, 2025 has been a busy year in single-seaters for Pin. When asked about who helps her stay focused, the 21 year-old credited her engineer, mechanics and the staff from the Mercedes’ Junior Team — whom she has worked closely with during Stefan Strahnz’s time at the team — for playing a key role in keeping her prepared and motivated.
“Obviously, I have my racing team. Like I’m with Prema Racing in F1 Academy. So I have my engineer, there’s the team manager, my mechanic. I have two mechanics and my first mechanic is a girl. Yes, so a good opportunity for us.”
“Obviously, we’re sharing this. And Mercedes-Benz obviously is the one that is taking over the junior program. So there’s Gwen [Lagrue] or Stefan [Strahnz] on track with me, helping, giving me advice, instructing the weekend for me.”
Getting to race alongside Formula 1 weekends has its perks, as Pin explained how it allows her to keep close to the Mercedes team and key figures like Toto Wolff while giving her the chance to learn and observe the top level of the sport up close. She also credited her personal trainer, who supports her everywhere she goes, for helping her stay consistent throughout the year.
“And this is really helpful, obviously. And obviously, racing next to Formula 1, I’m very close to the F1 team. So I can see Toto [Wolff], I can see a lot of people, obviously, and follow F1, the race and qualifying and everything if I want.”
“And I have my trainer that is following me everywhere. So in the racetrack and all the races I’m doing, and also at home, training with me.”
Grateful for opportunities through Iron Dames support
At just 21 years-old, Pin has already built an impressive résumé across different racing categories. Since joining the Mercedes Junior Programme ahead of her F1 Academy debut last year, the French driver has benefitted from a strong support system that has guided her through her career in cars.
“Yeah, I mean, a lot of people is part of my bubble, my team. Obviously, Mercedes has a lot of experience in the Junior Series, in Formula One. They have been so successful for many years, so obviously they bring me a lot of advice every day I’m working with them. So it’s very grateful.”
Crediting the Iron Dames Project, which she joined in 2021, Pin highlighted it as a turning point in her career. Praising the founder Deborah Mayer for being a constant source of inspiration to her, she highlighted how Mayer has opened doors and created many opportunities for women across motorsport. For Pin, she explained how Mayer’s influence has continued to push her to strive towards achieving her goal of becoming a Formula 1 driver.
“And also, I’m part of the Iron Dames project. I’ve been entering the project in 2021, so from there, my career started basically.”
“And Deborah Mayer, the founder of the project, is a powerful woman that inspired me a lot. And she is the one that showed me that everything is possible. She gives me, obviously, opportunities and other opportunities for the other girls around, not only drivers, but for all of us.”
“And she’s the one who inspires me every day to push my limits forward and, to be honest, to reach my goals, which is to be a Formula One driver.”
