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Paraguayan president congratulates Joshua Durksen after first F1 test

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-17GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

The Mercedes development driver became the first driver from Paraguay to drive a modern F1 car; President Santiago Peña called to congratulate him.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Joshua Durksen’s first Formula 1 test made him the first driver from Paraguay to drive a modern F1 car. President Santiago Peña called to congratulate the Mercedes development driver, and Mercedes shared footage of their video call.

The 22-year-old spent two days at Portimão in the Mercedes W16, the car George Russell and Kimi Antonelli raced in the 2025 championship. The call features in a behind-the-scenes video about Durksen’s test that Mercedes released earlier this week.

Peña told Durksen that the milestone represented a dream shared by millions of Paraguayans. Durksen said his run was a message to people in Paraguay that they could dream big and achieve those dreams. He also said driving the car had made him love the sport even more and that he wanted to pursue it for the long term.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCEMercedes shares emotional call between Joshua Durksen and Paraguay presidentMotorsport.com F1