Mercedes Signs Joshua Durksen as Development Driver for 2026

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team has strengthened its support roster by signing 22-year-old Paraguayan driver Joshua Durksen to a development driver role for the 2026 season. He will join fellow development driver Doriane Pin, with both supporting the team's on-track efforts through simulator work and testing.

Why it matters:

This signing highlights Mercedes' ongoing strategy to identify and nurture young talent, ensuring a pipeline of skilled drivers for future roles. For Durksen, it provides a crucial foothold within a top F1 operation, offering invaluable experience and exposure that could shape his career trajectory beyond Formula 2.

The Details:

• Durksen joins Mercedes after two seasons in Formula 2 with AIX Racing, where he secured four wins and 12 podium finishes.
• His primary duties will involve simulator work and several days of Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) runs, balancing these commitments with his active F2 campaign.
• He will race in the 2025 F2 season with the reigning champion team, Invicta Racing, which has won the last two drivers' and constructors' titles.
• The team also confirmed that Anthony Davidson will continue in his long-standing role managing the simulator driver roster and providing support.

What's Next:

Durksen's immediate focus will be on his 2025 Formula 2 season with Invicta Racing, where strong performances could solidify his standing within the Mercedes junior ecosystem. His development role offers a direct pathway to contribute to Mercedes' 2026 car development, a critical season under new technical regulations, while gaining the experience needed to potentially graduate to a Formula 1 race seat in the future.