Mercedes development driver Joshua Dürksen becomes first Paraguayan to drive modern Formula 1 car

Joshua Dürksen, a 22-year-old Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Development Driver, became the first Paraguayan to drive a modern Formula 1 car after completing a two-day test at Portugal's Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão) on September 23, 2026. During the test, Dürksen completed 187 laps and 875 kilometres in the Mercedes W16 E Performance, the car used by the team during the 2025 F1 season. Dürksen, who earlier in 2026 became the first Paraguayan to officially join an F1 team programme, worked with Mercedes engineers on systems understanding and performance runs.