Mercedes prodigy lands new job one week after exciting announcement from F1 team | F1 | Sport
Doriane Pin, development driver for Mercedes’ F1 team, will compete in the 2026 European Le Mans Series in the LMP2 Pro/AM Class with Duqueine Team this year. The French prodigy won the F1 Academy series last year and is now transitioning back towards endurance racing.
Pin finished as runner-up to British racing starlet Abbi Pulling in 2024 but went one better the following year, storming to the F1 Academy title. With the crown under her belt, the 22-year-old was promoted to the role of development driver with Mercedes last week.
“I’m very proud and grateful to take on the role of Development Driver with the team,” Pin 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.”
The development came alongside news that Joshua Duerksen has joined Mercedes in the same role after an impressive sophomore year in Formula Two. The Paraguayan racer ended the 2025 campaign with six podiums in the final eight races and will target the title with Invicta Racing next term.
As for Pin, she will return to endurance racing in 2026 with Duqueine Team in the LMP2 category. The French racer already has extensive experience in the discipline, having competed in the World Endurance Championship, ELMS, and the IMSA SportsCar Championship before transitioning to single-seaters.
Pin will team up with Giorgio Roda and newly-appointed McLaren development driver Richard Verschoor, contesting the Pro-Am class in the Duqueine Team Oreca 07 Gibson machine.
Alongside Pin and Duerksen, Mercedes’ F1 driver duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will be supported by Frederik Vesti, who steps into the role of third driver after Valtteri Bottas’ departure from the team to join Cadillac.
