Mercedes have confirmed that Joshua Duerksen has joined the team as a development driver ahead of the 2026 season. The Paraguayan racer scored four wins across two seasons in Formula Two and ended the 2025 campaign in fine form.

Duerksen has experienced a curious rise through the feeder series ranks, enjoying only limited success in the Italian F4 Championship and Formula Regional European Championship before making the giant leap to F2 for the 2024 season.

After a difficult start to his rookie campaign, Duerksen scored a feature race podium in Imola, and his form came alive late in the season. The AIX Racing prodigy scored two race victories and a podium in Monza, finishing the year 10th in the standings.

Duerksen’s 2025 campaign produced another interesting spread of results. The Asuncion-born star won the season opener in Melbourne, but scored points just three more times in the following 18 races. The 22-year-old then finished on the podium in six of the final eight races, including a feature-race triumph in Abu Dhabi.

Now, Duerksen is part of Mercedes’ young driver programme. “I’m super excited to be joining the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team as a development driver,” Duerksen said on Instagram after the deal was confirmed. “I can’t wait to start working with these guys and help the team succeed this year. Just really excited for what’s to come.”

The Paraguayan is now preparing for his third season in F2 as he targets the title in 2026. Duerksen will do so with a new team, having swapped AIX Racing for Invicta Racing, which guided Gabriel Bortoleto and Leonardo Fornarole to the crown in the past two campaigns.

Duerksen’s arrival isn’t the only notable news in the Mercedes driver development pipeline. Doriane Pin will step into the development driver role in 2026 after winning the F1 Academy title last term in her sophomore year in the series.

“I’m very proud and grateful to take on the role of Development Driver with the team,” Pin said. “My two years as part of the Junior Programme have helped me grow as a driver, and this is a fantastic next step in my career.

“I’m excited to keep working with everyone at Brackley and Brixworth and progressing toward future opportunities, both on and off track. I also want to say a big thank you to everyone at F1 Academy in helping me reach this position.

“The series provides a brilliant platform for female drivers, and I am honoured to be collecting the championship trophy this evening. As I continue my own journey in motorsport, I know there will be more incredible women following in my wheel tracks, and I wish them all the very best of luck for the season ahead.”