Female driver gets F1 opportunity in Mercedes car driven by Hamilton

The French driver will take part in a so-called 'TPC' (Testing of Previous Cars) programme. These are F1 cars that are at least two years old, meaning Pin will drive a car previously raced by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Mercedes announced last Wednesday that Pin had been promoted to the role of Development Driver. As part of her expanded role at Mercedes, she will join the group of drivers working in the simulator. She will also attend several Grands Prix.

GPblog understands that the 22-year-old driver’s role is even broader than initially reported. The French talent, who competed in F1 Academy last season, will also be allowed to test an F1 car with the team of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

It is not yet known where and when Pin will first take the Mercedes onto the track.

Pin does not hold a super licence, so she cannot race in Grands Prix in any case — though that is not the plan.

Jessica Hawkins was the last woman to complete a test in a Formula 1 car. The British driver did so in 2023 for the Aston Martin team, with which she was affiliated as an ambassador.

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