- Mercedes development driver Joshua Durksen completed a two-day Formula 1 test at Portimão in the Mercedes W16, becoming the first Paraguayan driver to pilot a modern F1 car.
- Paraguay’s president, Santiago Peña, personally phoned Durksen to congratulate him, calling the milestone “the dream of millions of Paraguayans.”
- Mercedes shared footage of the presidential video call as part of its behind-the-scenes feature, Inside Mercedes: Joshua Durksen’s First F1 Test, Paraguay, We Did It!
Paraguay’s President Calls Joshua Durksen After Historic Mercedes F1 Test at Portimão
Mercedes has captured and shared a deeply personal moment from Joshua Durksen’s landmark Formula 1 test: a video call from Santiago Peña, the president of Paraguay, who rang the 22-year-old development driver to personally express his pride and congratulations. The footage was released as part of a behind-the-scenes feature published by the Brackley-based constructor earlier this week, titled Inside Mercedes: Joshua Durksen’s First F1 Test, Paraguay, We Did It!
“A very special call. Santiago Pena, president of Paraguay, made sure to congratulate Josh on his first F1 run. A proud moment for the country,” Mercedes posted alongside footage of the video call.
A First for Paraguay in the Pinnacle of Motorsport
Durksen’s test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão spanned two full days and saw him behind the wheel of the Mercedes W16 — the same car raced by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli throughout the 2025 Formula 1 championship. The outing was not only a personal milestone for Durksen but also a historic one for his nation: it marked the first time a driver from Paraguay had ever driven a modern Formula 1 car, a distinction that quickly resonated far beyond the paddock.
President Peña’s enthusiasm during the call underscored just how significant the achievement was perceived to be at the highest levels of Paraguayan public life. “Legend! That’s huge, man,” president Pena told Durksen on the call. “Joshua, I’m really excited. This is your dream, it’s my dream, it’s the dream of millions of Paraguayans who truly are proud of everything you’re accomplishing. That giant Paraguay we all dream about, it’s you.”
Durksen Reflects on Dreaming Big and His Future in F1
Durksen himself was candid about the weight of the moment and what it represents for his country’s place in world motorsport. Speaking in the behind-the-scenes video, the young driver delivered a message aimed squarely at those back home who may have doubted what was possible.
Durksen added in the video: “To come from a country that many people think we’re a small country, and that maybe we cannot do a lot of stuff, to reaching the top of motorsport and driving a Formula 1 car… I think it’s a clear message, especially to my people, that we are allowed to dream, that we can dream big and that we can accomplish these dreams.
“I think after driving, I’m even more in love with this sport, and for sure this is something I want to do for the very long term.”
The response from fans online was immediate and enthusiastic. “What pride for all of Paraguay! Let’s go, Joshua, if you can!!!!” one fan commented, while another added: “Joshua is so great, I want them to give him a seat in F1 soon.”
Why This Matters
Paraguay has historically had a minimal footprint in top-tier global motorsport, making Durksen’s position within the Mercedes junior driver program — and now his seat in a current-specification W16 — a genuinely unprecedented development for the nation. For Mercedes, the investment in Durksen reflects the team’s broader development pipeline strategy, which has recently yielded race-ready talent in the form of Kimi Antonelli. The level of visibility afforded to Durksen’s test, including a dedicated behind-the-scenes film and the sharing of the presidential call, signals that Mercedes views his progress as both a sporting and a wider cultural story worth amplifying. Whether Durksen can convert his development role into a race seat — on the Formula 1 grid or in a closely affiliated series — remains the central question for his career trajectory in the coming seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What car did Joshua Durksen drive during his Formula 1 test?
Joshua Durksen drove the Mercedes W16, the car campaigned by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli during the 2025 Formula 1 season. The test took place over two days at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal.
Why is Joshua Durksen’s test considered historic for Paraguay?
The Portimão outing marked the first time a driver from Paraguay had ever driven a modern Formula 1 car, making Durksen a pioneer for his country in the sport’s top category. The milestone was significant enough to prompt a personal congratulatory call from Paraguay’s head of state, President Santiago Peña.
What is Joshua Durksen’s current role at Mercedes?
Joshua Durksen holds the position of development driver at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. At 22 years old, he is part of the constructor’s driver development program, which aims to prepare young talents for potential future roles in Formula 1 competition.
