Today, thanks to FIA Formula 3, two young aspiring female racing drivers from the Iron Dames project took to the track at Circuit de Magny-Cours to test a Formula 3 car for the first time in their careers.
Signifying an important opportunity for Doriane Pin and Maya Weug, both 17-years-old, the objective of this testing session was to present both drivers to the demands and challenges of Formula 3 to support them in the next level of racing.
Split into two sessions, the morning session kicked off with a track reconnaissance alongside 2021 FIA Formula 3 Dennis Hauger talking both drivers through the chosen set-up before taking to the track. This was to ensure that Weug and Pin were comfortable behind the wheel and had got to grips with systems like DRS.
Upon completing some short runs and data analysis the first half of the day concluded with a qualifying session. In the afternoon, both Iron Dames took part in another qualifying session and two simulated race scenarios, both of 15 laps on different fuel loads, followed by further data analysis.
French driving talent and finalist of the inaugural FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme, Doriane Pin, said: “Having not had much experience of single-seat racing cars before now, today was a hugely exciting experience and it is always great to learn something new. The most interesting thing I have learned is the difference between Formula racing and endurance racing. In endurance it is all about managing the tyres, the fuel and the rest of the traffic whereas in F3 it is all about driving as fast as you can, all of the time – the faster you drive, the more downforce you have and the quicker you can go.
“I enjoyed it a lot. And of course, thanks to the advice from the coach and the people around, we could progress quickly. I’m super happy and I am sure it will be beneficial for the future.”
Commenting on the day, Spanish-Dutch driver, Maya Weug, the first female to join the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy said: “Today marked a dream coming true, just a couple of years ago I was karting and today I tested a F3 car. I loved every minute of it and tried to learn as much as possible – which for me was the main aim of the day – and I know I have discovered a lot and improved my skills and confidence to carry much higher speeds in the corners, this is where I think I improved the most.
“It’s much faster than the F4 car. I can carry so much speed in the fast corners because of the downforce. I really enjoyed today.
“I’d like thank FIA Formula 3 as well as Iron Dames for the support in encouraging more young women into motorsport. It’s a perfect way to conclude the 2021 season. It cannot end in a better way!”
Both Pin and Weug have now concluded their debut season as part of the Iron Dames project, with Weug racing across Italian Formula 4 and ADAC Formula 4, winning the Women’s Championship, and Pin finishing a strong 3rd place in the drivers’ championship in the Michelin Le Mans Cup series.
Doriane will also compete in the final round of Ferrari Challenge Europe, the Finali Mondiali, driving alongside Iron Dame Michelle Gatting and Iron Lynx drivers, Claudio Schiavoni and Arno Dahlmeyer.
Iron Dames is a special project created and led by Deborah Mayer with the aim of supporting women in motorsport.
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