Rising Stars Profile Vol. 2 – Milla Sjöstrand & Doriane Pin

FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars profile series: Vol. 1 – Jessica Edgar & Maya Weug

In June, The FIA and its Women in Motorsport Commission announced the launch of “FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars” program, where 20 young female drivers will participate in a selection program. The best out of the program could be awarded a one-year contract to join the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) programme for an FIA Formula 4 season in 2021.

This week, we continue with the FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars profile series, and give you Milla Sjöstrand and Doriane Pin.

Milla Sjöstrand

All photos ​© John Sjöstrand

Paddock Sorority (PS): Can you tell us about your first exposure to motorsport and how you started karting? How was your first experience in a go-kart?

Milla Sjöstrand (MS): I watched Formula 1 on TV with my dad when I was little. When I was four years old, we went to Gran Canaria and I tried a two-seater rental kart together with my mum.

Back in Sweden I couldn’t drive before the age of 7. When I tried a race kart at the local club for the first time, I was hooked.

PS: What made you decide you want a career as a professional driver? Currently what’s your career goal as a driver?

MS: I love driving and I want to race cars as fast as I can. Therefore, I want to race Formula 1 in the future.

PS: Is there a racing idol for you? How have they impacted you and your racing?

MS: I don’t have a racing idol. I have a few people who I listen to when it comes to developing my driving, for example, previous The Girls on Track – Karting Challenge finalist Maja Hallén Fellenius and people from the Soda Kart team I’m currently racing with.

PS: How are your family supporting you in your career?

MS: My dad is putting in a lot of time. We haven’t driven in a team before this year, so it has been a small family team with me and my dad. My mum can seldom join us for races because she often works on the weekends.

PS: What has been your best memory in your career so far?

MS: When I got in the Mini 60 for the first time and won our club championships straight away, it was fun. This season I debuted in a big kart driving in the OK Junior class at the Swedish Championships. In an incident filled final, I managed a top 10 position among the Swedes. It’s so fun to drive with more power and grip than what I had before.

PS: How are you preparing for the shoot-out in October?

MS: Practicing, doing some races, and working out. Weighing around 40 kg makes it hard to drive a kart which weighs 140 kg including me. I also run to improve my fitness.

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Doriane Pin

© All photos provided by Doriane Pin

Paddock Sorority (PS): Can you tell us about your first exposure to motorsport and how you started karting?

Doriane Pin (DP): My father organised karting races and I was often with him watching the races. One day I said to my father “I want to do this, I want to do this!!” That was how I had an opportunity to start racing at 9 years-old, and It was magic. I was addicted.

PS: Do you remember your first experience in a go-kart? How was it?

DP: My first experience was just some practice laps which quickly led to my first competition.

My first karting race was at KARTLAND in the snow. It was unexpected and the owner of the track had to buy 50 brooms to sweep the track. We drove on the slippery track which I enjoyed, even though the conditions were extreme.

PS: What made you decide you want a career as a professional driver? Currently what’s your career goal as a driver?

DP: Every time I drive a kart or a car, I experience so much pleasure and I had strong desire to win. I love the competition. The more challenges there are, the better I perform. I fight to reach the highest level and win. my goal is of course to compete in Formula 1. I also really like endurance racing, the 24h of Le Mans would be just as amazing.

PS: Is there a racing idol for you? How have they impacted you and your racing?

DP: Charles Leclerc is an impressive driver because he is calm and calculated. he knows how to put pressure on other drivers so they then make mistakes.

PS: How are your family supporting you in your career?

DP: My father and uncle support and encourage me all the time. Since I started in karting, I have advanced with their support. Without their support I would not be here today. So I thank them.

PS: What has been your best memory in your career so far?

DP: My best memory was April 7, 2019 when I won the French Women’s Championship.  The family team, TEAM PIN won. It was a magical and incredible moment.

PS: How are you juggling school work, training, and racing?

DP: I am in high school in a sport study class which allows me to have flexible schedules so that we can do my training program nearby. When I go racing, I work with friends and my teacher on school courses in advance. It works well.

PS: How are you preparing for the shoot-out in October?

DP: I train every day. My sports program is a combination of climbing, swimming, running and cycling practiced at altitude.

Next week, we give you Ella Stevens from the UK and Kinga Wójcik from Poland.