The inaugural F1 Academy Rookie Test, held at the Circuito de Navarra in September 2025, has been hailed as a landmark for the future of female motorsport talent. The event brought together 18 rookies eligible for the 2026 season, offering them the chance to showcase their abilities while learning directly from the current F1 Academy grid. For French driver Doriane Pin, the opportunity to mentor rookies was both rewarding and inspiring. Reflecting on her involvement, during a media session attended by Pit Debrief ahead of the 2025 Singapore GP, she explained how meaningful the day was for her as a chance to guide the next generation.
“Yeah, so it was a really nice experience to be honest, being next to the rookies for one day, to help out them to progress and to approach the day as a good opportunity.”
Rapid progress and determination
Pin was quick to highlight how the rookies embraced the challenge. Their focus and rapid improvements stood out as a promising sign of what lies ahead.
“Obviously, they have been progressing quite quickly, and they were very focused and all of them. So, they’ve been doing some really good progress and it’s super interesting for the future and for the next few years that is coming up.”
Her comments matched the action on track. The test proved how competitive the field already is, with just fractions separating the fastest drivers. Ella Stevens topped the morning with a 1:46.921, while Payton Westcott set the quickest afternoon time of 1:47.303. In the closing stages, just 0.030s split the top three drivers — a razor-thin margin that showcased the depth of talent.
Looking ahead to the grid
Pin expressed her excitement at the prospect of seeing some of these names progress into F1 Academy as early as 2026. She was confident that the event revealed drivers who already possess the ability to compete at a high level.
“So yeah, looking forward to see a few of them on the grid for next year and see how it goes. But they have good potential, all of them for sure.”
The rookie event also drew praise from F1 Academy leadership. Delphine Biscaye, Head of Race Operations, described the test as “a milestone accomplishment,” while Katie Denver, Performance & Talent Development Manager, stressed its importance both as a showcase for the drivers and as a way to inform long-term strategies for supporting female talent.
Building the future of female motorsport
For Pin, however, the Rookie Test underlined the importance of mentorship and the responsibility of current drivers to inspire those who follow. By guiding rookies through the competitive environment, she helped ensure that the next wave enters F1 Academy with confidence and professionalism. The Rookie Test has demonstrated that the future of female motorsport is not only competitive but also bright.
