Joshua Dürksen completes F1 test marking historic moment

Joshua Dürksen has completed his first Formula 1 test in Mercedes’ 2025 car at Portimão in a historic moment for the young development driver’s career.

Feature image credit: Mercedes F1

Mercedes has confirmed that Dürksen has completed his first-ever F1 test, using the team’s W16 E Performance championship contender from the 2025 season. He also becomes the first Paraguayan connected to an F1 team to test a modern day F1 car.

The test took part at Portugal’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão, a circuit which has been confirmed to return to F1 as it becomes part of the 2027 calendar.

Dürksen’s test took place over two days, where he worked closely with the team, working on understanding and performance runs, whilst getting some invaluable on-track experience. Following the test, Dürksen said:

“This is a day, and a week, that I will remember for the rest of my life. Driving a Formula One car for the first time is something every young driver dreams about, and to do that as the first Paraguayan to reach this milestone makes it even more special.

“I am incredibly grateful to Mercedes for the opportunity and for the trust they have placed in me. So many people have supported me throughout my journey, from my family and sponsors to everyone back home in Paraguay who has followed my career and believed in me.

“Getting behind the wheel of the W16 was an unbelievable experience. The performance, the braking, the cornering speeds: everything is on another level. I learned a huge amount over the two days and enjoyed every lap. I hope this moment can inspire young people in Paraguay to believe that they can compete on the world stage too.”

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During this event for the Paraguayan, Dürksen completed 187 laps, which equalled 875 kilometres – or nearly three grand prix distances, marking an important milestone in the driver’s career up the motorsport ladder.

The Formula 2 driver, who is seventh in the junior category’s drivers standings, with 90 points to his name, will continue to work alongside the team with his Development Driver responsibilities, supporting simulator development and engineering activities.

Upon reflection of his test, Mercedes’ Deputy Team Principal, Bradley Lord praised the ‘special moment.’ He said:

“It’s always a special moment when a young driver gets their first experience of an F1 car and Joshua has done an excellent job throughout this test.

“He approached the programme with maturity, professionalism and a real desire to learn. Over the two days he worked effectively with the engineering team, developed his confidence progressively and delivered exactly what we were hoping to see from him.”

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.