The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team announced a significant addition to its driver roster. The team with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli confirmed as main drivers for the 2026 F1 season, welcoms Paraguayan sensation Joshua Dürksen as a Development Driver for the 2026 season. This landmark move marks Dürksen’s official entry into the structure of a top-tier Formula 1 team. This is a momentous occasion for both the young driver and his home nation.
Dürksen’s Development Driver role at Mercedes will see him deeply embedded within the team’s technical operations. His responsibilities will primarily involve extensive simulator work. Dürksen will be providing crucial feedback and data to aid in the ongoing development of the 2026 challenger.
Dürksen’s dual approach
Furthermore, Dürksenis scheduled to participate in Testing of Previous Cars (TPC). Additionally, this will be allowing him to gain valuable on-track experience with Formula 1 machinery. Additionally, it will help him familiarise himself with the team’s procedures and engineering philosophies. This dual approach ensures Dürksen will contribute directly to the team’s performance whilst honing his own skills in an F1 environment.
Crucially, Dürksen will balance his demanding F1 commitments with a full-time campaign in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. He is set to drive for reigning F2 champions Invicta Racing, partnering with highly-rated Brazilian talent Rafael Câmara.
This dual programme is strategically designed to accelerate Dürksen’s progression. This is offering him direct exposure to Formula 1 development processes whilst he continues to compete at the sharp end of motorsport’s primary feeder series. His appointment is a clear statement of intent from Mercedes. They are signalling their commitment to nurturing promising talent for future F1 contention.
Mercedes and a legacy of excellence
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team boasts a rich and illustrious history, intertwining with the very fabric of motorsport from its earliest days. While the modern era of the team truly began with its re-entry as a constructor in 2010, the Mercedes-Benz name has been synonymous with Grand Prix racing success for decades.
The legacy of Mercedes started with the iconic “Silver Arrows” of the 1930s, dominating pre-war motorsport with legendary drivers like Rudolf Caracciola and Juan Manuel Fangio. Then, the company earned a name with its pivotal role as an engine supplier in the 1990s and 2000s.
Mercedes has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering and racing performance. This deep heritage provides a powerful foundation for the contemporary team. Mercedes is embedding a culture of relentless innovation and a relentless pursuit of victory that defines its present-day operations.
A dominant force in F1 history
Since its reincarnation as a works team, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has ascended to become one of the most dominant forces in Formula 1 history. The period from 2014 to 2021 witnessed an unprecedented era of supremacy.
The team as secured eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships – a feat unmatched in the sport. This remarkable run was spearheaded by the formidable partnership of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. After them followed Valtteri Bottas, who collectively delivered numerous Drivers’ Championships.
Now, everyone in Paraguay is hoping for Joshua Dürksen to have a permanent seat in the future and bring glory again to Mercedes, and Paraguay.
