What results for Doriane Pin after her first appearance in FRECA?

There were plenty of attractions and plenty of talking points at this weekend's FRECA opening round at the Hockenheimring. Among the new faces of this 2024 class, we notably found Dorian Pin. Just out of his second meeting in F1 Academy in Miami, the Frenchwoman immediately took the plane to Germany to participate in her first weekend in the European championship. Despite the time difference, the Tricolore had to undergo an express adaptation to its new car, different from that used by the F1 Academy, and to the specificities of this new championship.

For her first representation in FRECA, under the colors of the Iron Dames team, the Francilienne remained discreet, finishing the two races of the German meeting in 23rd place (out of 33 entered). Two results which do not reflect the potential displayed by Doriane Pin on the Hockenheimring. On Saturday, for her first qualification, the 20-year-old driver set the 9th fastest time in her group, placing her in 18th place on the grid. The next day, an error at the end of the lap deprived him of a better position on the grid, with only the 10th time in his group and 20th place at the start of Race 2.

“A good first weekend” for Doriane Pin

“Overall it was a good first weekend, puts Doriane Pin into perspective, after her first weekend in FRECA. I think we improved in every session and that's very positive for the rest of the season. We started a long way from the free practice sessions, as we were only present for the last official pre-season test at Hockenheim two weeks ago, so we didn't drive much, but we improved from the start. first qualification. »

Remember that “Pocket Rocket” missed four days of driving by being absent from pre-season testing in Barcelona and Paul-Ricard. Ahead of the first race of the season, Doriane Pin had only completed two days of testing as preparation, also on the Hockenheim circuit. Essential tests which served as a benchmark for him this weekend, allowing him to gain momentum throughout the meeting on the flying lap exercise. However, it was in race management that the Iron Dames driver failed, particularly during the first laps. During Race 2, the No. 28 lost five positions on the first loop.

“The first qualification was positive, we finished 9th in the first group and 18th overall. The driving was difficult in the race, but I learned a lot from this experience, underlines the Frenchwoman. And the second qualification I was a little disappointed because the pace was there, we had taken another step forward but I made a mistake in sector 3 and lost the Top 5 in my group. I could have been 10th overall, which would have been really awesome. It's always positive, we know we have better rhythm now. We are focusing on the next round in Spa, and I'm really looking forward to it. »

First woman to arrive

However, despite distant results, Doriane Pin will be able to be satisfied with a clean first weekend in FRECA, keeping pace with the middle of the pack in the category. Above all, the Tricolor managed to beat her teammate Marta Garcia, reigning F1 Academy champion, but also Léna Buhler (vice-champion of F1 Academy) in the two qualifying sessions and in the two races organized at Hockenheim. A good starting point for the young 20-year-old pilot who, let's not forget, remains in the learning phase after starting the car only a few months ago, at the end of 2023.

Next meeting will be on May 24, 25 and 26 at Spa-Francorchamps. A circuit that she knows well having won the 24 Hours of Spa in 2022 in the Gold category, with the Iron Dames.

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