F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin has detailed the stark differences of Formula 1 machinery following her maiden test with Mercedes at Silverstone, as reported by Motorsport.com.
Pin, who became the first F1 Academy champion and first woman to test a Mercedes F1 car, described the experience as “one of the best days of my life.” She emphasized that the F1 car's speed, braking, and combined downforce were “another world” compared to her previous experiences.
Having driven F1 Academy cars (equivalent to Formula 4) and LMP2 machinery, Pin noted the significant leap. “There is nothing compared to Formula 1,” she stated, highlighting that even reaching over 300kph in LMP2 doesn't prepare one for an F1 car's capabilities.
Pin added that the true feeling of an F1 car is “something that you don't expect until you drive it for the first time,” despite extensive preparation with the Mercedes team. Her comfort in the car was a testament to the close work with engineers leading up to the test.