More South American presence in F1: Paraguayan Joshua Duerksen has been announced as Mercedes's development driver
Duerksen is Mercedes's new development driver
porEditorial Team
Argentina
The native of Asunción will join the German team starting this season and will be the first driver from his country to be part of the top category
Formula 1 will have, starting in 2026, a new South American representative within one of its most powerful structures. Joshua Duerksen was announced this Monday as Mercedes development driver, in the context of the official presentation of the Brackley-based team for next season.
The leap made by the driver from Asunción also has a strong symbolic impact, since he will become the first Paraguayan to formally join a Formula 1 structure, consolidating the growing South American presence in the paddock.
The Paraguayan driver will work alongside race drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, fulfilling a key role in the development of the single-seater. His tasks will include intensive work in the simulator and TPC tests (Testing of Previous Cars), an essential tool for the team's technical growth.
Duerksen será el primer piloto paraguayo en la F1
Mercedes highlighted Duerksen's development path in the junior categories. "He successfully progressed through the junior single-seater categories, achieving wins in F4 UAE, Italian Formula 4, and ADAC Formula 4, as well as podiums in Formula Regional competitions", they stated in the official release.
"He made his debut in FIA Formula 2 in 2024, earning four podiums and two wins in his rookie season, followed by another result inside the top 10 in the 2025 championship", they added.
Meanwhile, Duerksen did not hide his joy over this new step in his career. "I'm extremely happy to be part of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, being the first Paraguayan driver to do so. It is a unique opportunity, a chance that opens doors for me and it is a dream to be able to work with them. I'm extremely happy about this possibility".
Beyond the announcement, he clarified that his priority will remain Formula 2. "My main focus will remain on F2, to fight for the championship so that in the future opportunities may arise to work full-time with this team, carrying our flag to the F1 grid. I can't wait to start working and developing the car with them", he stated.
Duerksen se seguirá enfocando en la F2
In parallel with his arrival at Mercedes, Duerksen will continue competing in Formula 2 during 2026, where he will face his third season in the category with Invicta Racing, one of the most competitive teams in the series.
In a special season for the region, marked for example by the consolidation of Franco Colapinto as a race driver at Alpine, Duerksen's arrival at Mercedes reinforces the idea of a new generation of talents from the continent in the elite of world motorsport.
