First FIA Formula 3 test achieved for Iron Dames’ Weug and Pin

Iron Dames’ members Maya Weug and Doriane Pin have completed an FIA Formula 3 test today Wednesday 10th November, at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France. As previously announced, the purpose of this session was to introduce both drivers to the category, the car, its set-ups, and the demands and challenges of F3’s environment.

For this test, each driver was allocated 3 sets of slick Pirelli tyres and 3 sets of wet weather compounds.

The morning session kicked off in cold temperatures. Both drivers took to the track for a few installation laps ahead of some PR activities, waiting for the track temperatures to rise. At 10am local time, Weug and Pin jumped back into their car and went out again on the Magny-Cours Grand Prix track for a series of short runs, which allowed them to get to grips with the car and the DRS. After a debrief and some data analysis with 2021 FIA Formula 3 Champion Dennis Hauger and Magny-Cours Racing School’s instructor Julien Gilbert, Weug and Pin returned to the track for a first qualifying session.

After the lunch break, the afternoon session opened with a 15 lap race simulation, on race set-up and high fuel load. It was followed by a second qualifying session and more data analysis. The day concluded with a second race simulation, also of 15 laps, and a final debrief.

FIA Formula 3 Technical Director Didier Perrin said: “Maya and Doriane have done a good job today. They were very attentive to every detail, and they were able to get comfortable in the car quite quickly. It’s been a good and studious day on all fronts.”

Iron Dames’ Maya Weug commented: ““It’s been amazing to be here on a new car, on a new track, and to learn a lot. I really loved every lap, the speed and the downforce of this car is just amazing.

“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’ve learned a lot, including the tyre management and how to carry speed into the fast corners. You need so much confidence to get there, but at the end of the day, this is where I have improved the most.

“I think compared to F4, in the qualifying runs, you have so few laps, so you have to know exactly where the grip is in those one or two push laps. That’s the biggest step for me, but it’s really nice to have such an experience to learn all these things.

“It means a lot to me. It’s an amazing opportunity to have a test on such a different car. It helps a lot for the future. I want to thank everyone involved.

“It’s a perfect way to conclude the 2021 season. It cannot end in a better way!”

Iron Dames’ Doriane Pin said: ““The day was incredible! It’s a new car for me. There is so much downforce, and the speed is incredible also. 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.

“The car is really tough, and we need to be precise to be fast and to have a good pace. For sure, you need to have the technique and you need to have time to learn everything on the car and to understand its behaviour. But there were a lot of runs to allow us to improve.

“For us, to get this test today means that we did a great job during the past season. It means I can learn more than in just the Endurance environment, and to progress to become a better driver.

“The Pirelli tyres are good. There is a lot of grip, and you need to be really focused on your driving and to push really hard to have a great feeling of them.

“It is a great way to finish the season and we will have the winter to continue to work and put in practice what I have learned today.”