Mercedes completes 2026 development driver lineup with Joshua Dürksen

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has finalized its development driver roster for the 2026 season, welcoming Formula 2 racer Joshua Dürksen to join veterans Anthony Davidson and Doriane Pin. The 22-year-old German-Paraguayan driver will balance his F2 campaign with Invicta Racing alongside simulator and testing duties for the eight-time constructors' champions, bolstering the team's technical preparation ahead of the new regulatory era.

Why it matters:

In the hyper-competitive world of Formula 1, a strong development driver lineup is crucial for refining car performance and exploring setup options without taxing the race drivers. Dürksen's addition represents a strategic investment in fresh talent and data analysis, providing the Brackley squad with additional resources to optimize the W15 and develop its 2026 challenger. This move underscores Mercedes' methodical approach to rebuilding its technical arsenal after a challenging period.

The Details:

• Joshua Dürksen joins Mercedes after two seasons in F2 with PHM AIX Racing, bringing a resume that includes two F2 wins and multiple victories in junior categories like Italian F4 and F4 UAE.
• His primary role will involve simulator work and participating in the team's Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program, which is vital for correlating simulation data with real-world performance.
• He completes a development trio that includes long-time simulator specialist Anthony Davidson, who has been with Mercedes since 2010, and 2024 F1 Academy champion Doriane Pin, who graduated from the junior academy to this role.
• The announcement follows the team's private Barcelona test in late January and its official season launch on February 2nd, timing that allows Dürksen to integrate before intensive pre-season running.
• Frederik Vesti retains his position as the official reserve and third driver, creating a deep pool of talent supporting race drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

What's next:

The immediate focus shifts to the final pre-season tests in Bahrain, scheduled for February 11-13 and 18-20. Dürksen's simulator feedback will be critical in these final preparation phases before the season opener in Melbourne on March 6-8. His work throughout the year will be a key component in Mercedes' ongoing development race, as the team seeks to close the gap to front-runners Red Bull and Ferrari and lay the groundwork for its 2026 project.